Seasonal Preaching

(Part 2 of 2) “The elders who are among you I exhort…: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:1-2). What is the work of the eldership according to scripture?

The famous account of Daniel’s illegal prayer which put him in the lion’s den is truly remarkable (Daniel 6:10). Much can be learned from the account. What about the facts of Daniel’s prayer itself?

“The elders who are among you I exhort…: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:1-2). What is the work of the eldership according to scripture?

Why do we use unleavened bread for the Lord’s Supper? What can we make of Jesus’ use of unleavened bread when instituting the Lord’s Supper? We consider this historically, hermeneutically, and theologically.

God’s created institutions include leadership and submission. This is no different for the church which God has blessed with the leadership of elders. This pattern of aged men leading God’s people is found in ancient Israel.

God’s words to Eve in Genesis 3:16 form a striking parallel with His warning to Cain in Genesis 4:7. A consideration of the connections in the context inform us of sin, its consequences, and also foreshadow the solution in Christ.

Paul’s consideration of the eventual cessation of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13 is a text of controversy for many, including the Eastern Orthodox Church. In particular, the meaning of “that which is perfect” is disputed. What does the text indicate?

Though God provided a way home for His captive people, many decided to remain in Babylon. Through Zechariah, God urged the people who remained in the land of captivity to return (cf. Zechariah 2:6-9). We must not grow comfortable in captivity!

The Bible shows us that our thoughts, decisions, and actions today tremendously affect our future. We cannot discount the importance of our thoughts and actions each day. They shape our tomorrow!

The Sabbath day was a common setting for controversy between Jesus and His enemies. What was the Sabbath day, and what is Jesus’ relation to it? What did Jesus mean by His responses to accusations raised against Him? Matthew 11-12 gives insight.

The church is a part of God’s eternal purpose in Christ (Ephesians 3:10-11). Paul’s description of the church in his letter to Timothy shows its importance, and work. It is “the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

Paul intended to send Timothy to Philippi to know of their state. As he wrote to the Philippians concerning these plans, he noted Timothy’s proven character (Philippians 2:19-24). Timothy is a character worthy of our imitation.

The sixth and final elementary principle of Christ listed by the Hebrew writer is  “eternal judgment”  (Hebrews 6:2). Throughout time, God has demonstrated judgments against sinful rebellion. These point to a final eternal judgment we must anticipate and prepare for.

The Holy Spirit shifts from the predicaments of Joseph to the case of Judah’s immorality with Tamar in Genesis 38. Though at first reading this seems out of place, one finds Judah is juxtaposed with Joseph in chapter 39. This contrast is beneficial to consider.

The fifth elementary principle of Christ listed by the Hebrew writer is “resurrection of the dead” (Hebrews 6:2). Resurrection is an indispensable part of the gospel. Without an understanding of and belief in resurrection we cannot progress the way God intends.

In life we make plans. How should we plan as Christians? How could worldliness affect our planning? James details a type of worldly planning which Christians should avoid (James 4:13 -17).

The fourth elementary principle listed by the Hebrew writer is “of laying on of hands” (Hebrews 6:2). One who has repented of sins, turned in faith to God, and has his sins washed in baptism needs nourishment for growth. Revelation in the early church included “laying on of hands.”

From the beginning to the end, the Bible reveals a reoccurring theme of the altar. The altar was central to the Jewish economy, but the Hebrew writer encouraged Christians saying, “We have an altar” (Hebrews 13:10 ). What is this altar and what is its significance?

The third elementary principle listed by the Hebrew writer is  “the doctrine of baptisms”  (Hebrews 6:2). The shadow of the Old Testament is filled with  “various washings”  (Hebrews 9:10) which point to the true washing in Jesus’ blood accessed in baptism.

Love is to be in truth and shown in keeping the truth. However, when the truth advances it is always met with opposition. The Christian must make sure they are in the truth rather than against it.

The second elementary principle listed by the Hebrew writer is “faith towards God” (Hebrews 6:1). It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). However, it is imperative that we understand faith as the Bible portrays it.

The first of six elementary principles listed by the Hebrew writer is  “repentance from dead works”  (Hebrews 6:1). Repentance is rejected by many and misunderstood by more. Without being grounded in the principle the Christian cannot grow and live according to his calling.

What should new Christians do? What did they do when the church was established? (cf. Acts 2:40-47) New Christians should be active to strengthen their new relationship with God, and to strengthen their new brethren!

The Hebrew writer paused his thought flow in the epistle to give necessary admonition for the readers’ failure to move on from the elementary principles of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-3). We must mature, but this also illustrates the importance of those elementary principles.

James addresses a certain type of judgment which we should be careful to avoid (James 4:11-12). Some Christians become guilty of judging brethren about things unrevealed in God’s word, and in doing so they judge God and His word.