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Does God Exist?

February 1, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

Upon reading the above title many will reply “Don’t be so silly, of course God exists.” There is no greater question of greater importance than whether or not God exists. The answer to that question affects all other questions. We, our children, relatives, and friends have been exposed to the General Theory of Evolution (a fiction that all matter and life came about by purely natural processes). If the God of the Bible exists, there is no need for the evolutionary hypothesis in accounting for all things that exist. So, the universe is here, it must be explained. At some point in everyone’s life, every sane, rational human is going to have to ask and answer this one question, “How did the universe get here?” There are three options to consider. That…

I. THE UNIVERSE (MATTER) IS ETERNAL. To be eternal would be, by definition, existing without beginning or end. However, we know that the universe will end. This is proven by the 2^nd Law of Thermodynamics (Law of Increasing Entropy) which states that everything is running down or wearing out. Energy is becoming less and less available for use. The universe is running down like a clock. If the universe is running down like a clock, there had to be a time when it was “wound up” and is slowly winding down. The 2^nd Law points to 2 things when applied to the universe: 1) A beginning and 2) An end in the future when no more energy is available (referred to by scientists as a “heat death”) If the universe had a beginning and looks toward an end, it cannot be eternal.

That is exactly as the Bible teaches. BEGINNING: Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”. END: 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Clearly the universe is not eternal according to science and the Bible.

II. THE UNIVERSE CREATED ITSELF OUT OF NOTHING. For this to be the case would contradict the 1^st law of Thermodynamics which states that neither matter nor energy can be created or destroyed in nature. It is a self-evident truth that if we start with nothing, we get nothing. Someone may question, “To say matter cannot be destroyed, what if I burn a piece of paper, have I not destroyed the paper?” Nothing has been destroyed, it has only changed form. The paper, just laying there has energy known as potential energy. When the paper burned the energy became Kinetic Energy. What happened to the paper? The paper is ash lying where it was burnt, some went into the air as smoke, and some was converted to heat and light. The paper did not go out of existence, it only changed form. Again, matter or energy cannot be created or destroyed in nature. The universe (matter) could not have created itself out of nothing.

III. THE UNIVERSE WAS CREATED. If matter is not eternal, and the universe did not come from nothing, the only option left is that the universe was created. It is absolutely certain that something has always existed; otherwise we would be forced to say that something came from nothing. (Point #2) Since it is an observed truth that something now exists, it demands that something has always existed. Otherwise one would be forced to argue that something came from nothing – a position that is illogical and irrational. Since matter is not eternal (Point #1) the only option left is that God created the universe and all things in it. The Bible tells us that God has always existed. Psalm 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” The Eternal God created the universe, just as the Bible affirms.

The unavoidable conclusion that can be drawn from the arguments of where the universe came from, is that it was created by God. Any other conclusion is irrational.

Psalm 33:6, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Jerry D. Sturgill

The Old Testament

January 24, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

Before the book of Genesis, the publishers of most Bibles include a title page with the designation “Old Testament.” The term “old” is relative, implying there is something newer; the term “testament” involves the expression of one’s will in a contract. This designation is supported by the words God used in communicating through inspired men. In writing to the Corinthians about how most of his fellow Jews were blind to Jesus Christ’s fulfillment of Scripture, Paul stated, “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:14). Notice Paul used the phrase “the old testament” with the Corinthians. They were familiar with the expression. There was an understanding even among the earliest Christians that they were living under the New Testament of Jesus Christ and the former testament was thus old (cf. Hebrews 8:13; 9:15-18). The weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper reminds Christians of Jesus’ blood of the New Testament (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25). Paul had written earlier in this chapter to the Corinthians about how God had selected his work, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). Thus, Paul and other apostles and prophets were aware that God was using them to reveal a new testament that replaced His former testament (Ephesians 3:4-5; 1 Corinthians 14:37). In this context (2 Corinthians 3), Paul is contrasting their ministry with the ministry of the Old Testament by Moses. It is evident from verses such as 2 Peter 3:16 and 1 Timothy 5:18 that New Testament writers considered each other’s writings Scripture, inspired by God as the Old Testament was (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

When Christ came to earth, the Old Testament had been a closed catalogue of books for years. Jews would often refer to it by its twofold division: the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17-18; 7:12; 11:13; 22:40; Luke 16:16-17; John 1:45; Acts 13:15; 24:14; 28:23; Romans 3:21). Christ Himself, in prophesying of the destruction of Jerusalem, said of that generation God would require the blood of all Old Testament martyrs, explaining, “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar” (Matthew 23:35). The first one murdered was Abel in Genesis 4. The account of king Joash killing Zecharias son of Barachias is found in 2 Chronicles 24:17-22. Second Chronicles is not the latest stage of the recorded history of the Jewish people in the Old Testament; however, even though it was not the last book written, it did occupy the last place in the order of the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible begins with Genesis and ends with Second Chronicles. Jesus is referring to the two ends of the Old Testament library in Matthew 23:35, the first book to the last book. The Jews accepted only these as divine.

Within these Old Testament books, God warned man not to add to His words (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6). It is obvious that if God has gone to the care of expressing His will to man in a written testament, then He disapproves of anyone tampering with it. Alleged additional books, or lost books, of the Old Testament will be the focus of the second installment of this study on the Old Testament.

-Mark Day

The Truth Shall Make You Free

January 18, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Truth is certainly important to our physical well-being. A proper diagnosis and treatment are key to freeing someone from the debilitating effects of a disease. However, spiritual truth is far more important. The physical body is temporary (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7) and some diseases which threaten it cannot be cured; death is eventually inevitable (Ecclesiastes 9:1-7; Hebrews 9:27). But the soul is eternal; each individual’s soul will either experience eternal prosperity or eternal ruin (Matthew 25:46). Unlike some physical ailments, the diagnosis of the cause of spiritual death is clear and the cure is available: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

God’s word is spiritual truth (John 17:17). Jesus came to this earth and called men to follow Him, saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit has revealed His law in God’s word; after Paul mentioned how sin brings death in Romans 6:23, by inspiration of God he wrote, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). That God loves us so much to give His Son to die to free us from sin (Romans 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21), is a love-producing truth (1 John 4:9). It can cure us from the love of sin, which threatens our souls, and leads us to love God in return (1 John 2:15-17).

However, Satan wants to obscure the truth. He lied to Eve in the garden of Eden, deceiving her in thinking that God really did not tell her the whole truth, but was actually holding something back from her (Genesis 3:1-5). Satan’s lies continue today, subtly blinding men from seeing the shining truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 11:3; cf. John 8:44). Evil thoughts and habits do not come from the truth of God’s word, but are deceitful lures of the devil leading to death. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:13-15). We certainly would not want to follow the wrong medical advice because of what it could do to our physical health. How much more should we seek to avoid unsound spiritual advice that could cost us our eternal souls? “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23).

Do you want freedom from sin? Then know the truth and let it dwell in you (2 John 1-2), love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10), obey the truth (1 Peter 1:22), and walk in the truth (2 John 4; 3 John 3). Defend the truth so that others are warned about following lies to their own ruin (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3-4).

–Mark Day

The Prescribed Sacrifice

January 14, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Genesis 4 gives the first record of worship to the Lord through sacrifice. Abel’s offering was “the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof” (Genesis 4:4). Cain, however, “brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD” (Genesis 4:3). God did not just accept any offering, rather, “The LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect” (Genesis 4:4-5). Why was Cain’s offering rejected? The Bible does not tell us God’s instructions to these two brothers. We could speculate that perhaps Cain brought the wrong kind of offering¬–a vegetable offering rather than a blood sacrifice. Leviticus 2 shows that later under the Mosaic law some offerings were flour, oil and corn, so God did not always require a blood sacrifice. The emphasis from the text is that Abel brought the best. Whether Cain’s offering was of the wrong type or quality or both, the point is the same: God does not accept just anything we wish to offer to Him in worship. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Hebrews 11:4). To do something “by faith” is to take God at His word, heeding His instructions (Romans 10:17). Abel offered what God had prescribed while Cain offered only what pleased himself.

When we come before God in worship today we must offer what is prescribed by His word. We do not need a “thou shalt not” statement in the scriptures for us to know that certain worship practices are unacceptable. Unless God has given us a command, an example, or an implication to warrant employing a practice in worship to Him, we should leave it behind. Even if God formerly allowed a practice under previous covenants, that does not mean He accepts such today. Offering an animal upon an altar, burning incense, and having a special priest class are all characteristics of the law of Moses that are no longer viable in New Testament worship with Jesus Christ as our high priest and each Christian offering sacrifices through Him (Hebrews 9:11; 1 Peter 2:9).

In our worship in song, we are to be speaking to each other, singing and make melody in our hearts (Ephesians 5:19). The song, hymns, and spiritual songs we sing serve the purpose of teaching one another (Colossians 3:16). God has prescribed the instrument: the heart. He has prescribed the kind of music: singing. He has prescribed the kind of songs: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Singing non-religious songs would not satisfy this prescription. Having a few people playing on mechanical instruments while the rest of the congregation listens does not fit God’s prescription. It turns the atmosphere into a performance of a few rather than the speaking, teaching and admonishing of all in the congregation. It replaces the God-approved instrument of the heart with a mechanical instrument that cannot teach spiritual truths in words.

Answer these questions. Why should we not have a pope? Why should we not handle snakes in our worship? Why should we not have chicken and cherry coke as the elements of the communion supper instead of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine? There are no passages that explicitly say we should not engage in these practices. Thus, to answer these is to answer why our worship in song should be without the addition of mechanical instruments. Let us stick with what God has prescribed in the New Testament, offering the sacrifice of praise, that is the fruit of our lips, rather than adding foreign elements to His worship (Hebrews 13:15).

-Mark Day

A New Year Lies Before Us…

January 3, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

As we begin 2019, welcome to the first Sunday of the year. The rest of the year lies before us with many spiritual opportunities. As we consider the year and we being the people of God, I offer the following for your consideration. (these are for personal reflection and not intended to be submitted to anyone)

How many Sundays will I attend the worship services of the church in 2019? Your answer: _______________
There will be 52 Sundays in 2019. Since the congregation at Flatwoods meets twice on the Lord’s Day, that means there will be 104 opportunities in 2019 to worship God “in spirit and in truth”, John 4:24. As you are here today there remains 103 services left in the year. Keep up the good attendance.

How many Bible Studies will I be present at to increase my knowledge of the Word of God in 2019? Your answer: _______________
There will be 52 Wednesday Bible Study nights (7pm) in 2019. Add to this the fact that Bible Study is conducted each Lord’s Day morning at 9:45am (52 Sundays) so again, there will 104 opportunities to be edified by God’s Word, also through Devotionals and Singing, with God’s people in 2019. Again, 103 opportunities remain. If you were not here this morning, there are plenty of opportunities to correct that in the coming year.

How many hours will I spend in personal study of God’s Word, and prayer in 2019? Your answer: _______________
For a calendar year, 365 days; 24 hours per day, there are 8,760 hours. Of that, about 2,920 hours will be spent in sleep (assuming 8 hours sleep per night). Now, let’s assume 2,080 hours per year, 8 hours per day/5 days per week, for one’s vocation (even retired people often wonder when they found time for a career since they still stay busy). That leaves 3,760 hours per year or about 72 hours per week left for “other pursuits”. How much of that will we spend in personal Bible study and prayer each day?

How many Biblical sound publications will I read in 2019? Your answer: _______________
The Flatwoods church has a library filled with study material (books, videos, audio cd’s, etc.) that can be used for personal study, research, or just fun reading, on a given topic. There are also monthly and quarterly magazines available for your reading. Do we take advantage of these wonderful resources? Do we subscribe to sound Biblical journals and magazines to be delivered to our homes to read? Did you know the congregation pays for the publication “Gospel Minutes” to be delivered to your home? If you wish to receive this, let the church secretary know and you will be added to the mailing list.

How many Gospel Meetings, Seminars, Lectureships, Vacation Bible Schools, etc. will I attend in 2019? Your answer: _______________
Congregations of the Lord’s church will be having Revivals (I still like that term) this Spring which are within a short drive. Will you and I attend? Will you attend our Spring Gospel Meeting, April 14-18, 2019 and “Is The Bible Reliable” Seminar, September 13-15, 2019? While Lectureships are a bit more of a drive, these are outstanding occasions of Bible study, encouragement, and exhortation. Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) are opportunities for the study of the Gospel for all ages. In fact, does your answer above include the Flatwoods VBS, July 22-26, 2019?

How many souls will I seek to bring to Christ in 2019? Your answer: _______________
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20a, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” Who will we teach the message of the Gospel? The message of Christ coming and dying for mankind, the soul damning effect of sin, and the remedy through obedience to God in belief, repentance, confession, and baptism. As of January 2019, there are 7.7 billion people on planet earth and vast multitudes of these are going into eternity unprepared to meet God.

As we consider the above questions, answer this, How will I serve the Lord in the kingdom in 2019? Your answer: ____________________________________________________.

-Jerry D. Sturgill