QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (114)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   One of the purposes of questions is to entrap another individual.

1.    The Jews often used questions in an attempt to trap the Lord (Matt. 22:15)

 

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

 

a.    The Pharisees asked about giving tribute to Cesar.

b.    The Sadducees asked about the resurrection.

c.    Another Pharisee asked Jesus which commandment in the law was the greatest.

2.    In debates, questions are usually exchanged prior to the debate so the answers can be used against one’s opponent during the debate (Ex., What is the definition of “only”?).

 

B.   So far, I have never felt like a person has asked questions in an attempt to trap me in our Q&A lessons.

 

C.   Your questions have been asked for clarification and for a deeper understanding of God’s Word.

 

D.   In this lesson, we will be examining two of your questions.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  Church & Bible Class Attendance

 

A.   Stated:  Does every member have to attend every church service?  Is it a sin not too?

 

B.   Answer:      

1.    Let’s begin by reading some passages of Scripture.

a.    The example of Jesus (Luke 4:16)

 

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up:  and, as his custom was he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

 

b.    The desire we are to have for the Word of God (1 Pet. 2:2)

 

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

 

c.    The responsibility of members to the elders (Heb. 13:17)

 

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:  for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

 

d.    The proper order of priorities (Matt.6:33)

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

e.    The duty to be faithful (1 Cor. 4:2)

 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

f.     The example we are to set (1 Tim. 4:12)

 

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

g.    Stones in the temple of God (1 Pet. 2:5)

 

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

 

2.    Some commentary:

a.    Not one of the passages we just read specifically stated anything about Bible classes and worshiping on the first day of the week.

b.    Every passage we read has strong implications about Bible classes and worship.

c.    Question:

1)    You are in a class with Jesus as your teacher.

2)    He gives you all of the verses we have just read.

3)    He says:  “I want you to teach a 20-minute class.”

4)    He assigns you the subject:  Attending Bible Classes and Worship Services

5)    What would you teach your students about this subject?

a)    Should they be faithful to all services?

b)    Can they pick and choose the services they desire to attend?

c)    How does one determine which ones he will miss?

d)    Can all of the members miss the same services that others do?

e)    If a child in your class asked you:  “Is it a sin to miss worship and Bible classes?” what would your answer be?

3.    Three more pointed verses:

a.    What the Lord seeks (John 4:23)

 

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

 

b.    The early church (Acts 2:42)

 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

c.    Don’t forsake the assembly (Heb. 10:24-25)

 

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works:  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:  and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

4.    Example:  You return the Lord’s class with your lesson in hand.  He now provides you with these three additional verses.  He tells you that you need to incorporate them into your lesson as well.  QUESTION:  What would you teach your class the following day about Bible class attendance and attending the worship services?

5.    As a minister, I am of the opinion that we all know exactly what the Lord desires of us when it comes to Bible classes and worship services.  However…

a.    Our will gets in the way.

b.    Our lack of fear of God gets in our way.

c.    Our lack of love gets in our way.

d.    Our lack of gratitude gets in our way.

e.    Our lack of spiritual maturity gets in our way.

f.     Our lack of spiritual interest gets in our way.

g.    Our unbelief gets in our way.

h.    Our lack of understanding of spiritual blessings gets in our way.

i.     Our “don’t want to” gets in the way.

j.     Our “other gods” get in our way.

k.    The pleasures of the world get in our way.

l.     Our laziness gets in our way.

m.  Our excuses get in the way.

n.    Our bad habits get in the way.

o.    Our lack of concern gets in our way.

p.    Our man-made definition of faithfulness gets in our way.

q.    Our thinking that grace provides license gets in our way.

r.     Our following of bad examples gets in our way.

s.    Our pride gets in our way.

t.     Our hardened hearts get in our way.

6.    Attending the worship services and Bible classes of the church are the easiest of all the Christians duties that God calls upon us to perform.  All we have to do it show up and be diligent with mind and attitude as we engage in these important works of the body of Christ.

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Saying the words:  “Good luck.”

 

A.   Stated:  We often wish someone “good luck.”  Is this an expression Christians should use?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The word “luck” is never found in the Bible.

2.    The word “luck” is defined as: 

a.    A force

b.    That brings good fortune, advantage, and success to a person’s life

c.    It is considered a result of chance.

3.    There is also another force that brings good into the life of an individual.  That force is referred to as “the providence of God. (Example:  The life of Joseph in the book of Genesis is filled with the providence of God, Gen. 50:20).

 

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

 

a.    Those who do not believe in God might say something like this:  “Joseph

sure was lucky.”

b.    There was no luck in Joseph’s life because the happenings were not “by chance.”  All of this was the result of God working in Joseph’s life to bring good to Joseph and his family.

4.    There are some things that appear to be more luck than providential.

a.    Three examples:

1)    Example #1:  Selecting an answer for the Bible Bowl test, then changing it just before time is up, and you get the right answer.

 

2)    Example #2:  The coin toss at a football game.

 

 

3)    Example #3:  The winning shot at a basketball game going around the rim 2 times, then touching the backboard before falling through the net.

 

 

b.    Question:  Does God allow some things to happen in our lives by shear chance? 

c.    Question:  If He does, how do we distinguish between luck and providence?

d.    Answer:  The answer to this is usually determined as we look back on the situations and circumstances of our lives.  We know that some things could not have happened by chance.  We are almost positive that we see the hand of God in them.

1)    Example:  We know that God was directly involved in the answer of Hannah’s prayer to be given a man child (See 1 Sam.1:11,27).

 

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.

 

2)    Example:  Paul’s use of the word “perhaps (Phile. 15).

 

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have considered two questions in this lesson.

1.    The first dealt with attending Bible classes and worship services.

2.    The second dealt with wishing individuals luck in their lives.

 

B.   As I thought about that first question, another question came to my mind.  Does God want us in every Bible class and worship service?  I know that He is present in all of them.

 

C.   As I thought more on the second question, I personally came to the conclusion that we would be wiser to simply to say to a person:  “I pray the Lord will bless you and keep you” (Num. 6:24-26).

 

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee.  The LORD make his face to shine up thee, and be gracious to thee:  The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.