CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES

This Month's Theme: 

“Soul Saving Sight”

While here on earth, the Christ of God used parables to teach spiritual lessons to the Jews, in His preparatory work for the coming kingdom of heaven. His disciples asked Him why He taught in parables and He answered:

Matthew 13:13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

To consider that Jesus taught in parables to make His message easier to comprehend is in fact contrary to this statement to His disciples. In many cases, even His chosen did not comprehend His teachings. Just because we see and here, does not always assure that we are perceptive.

Inadequate Vision: Seeing and hearing enable one to begin to determine a chosen direction. However, without understanding and drive, a goal alone is vague, limited, and often poorly chosen. In many cases, our vision of what the Lord would have us do may likewise be inadequate.

Many people have a general understanding of traffic laws; however, many accidents have occurred because of the failure of a driver to know the details of the law (right of way, rules of access, use of turning lanes, etc…). In many ways, there are those who claim to know the Lord only in generalities. These generalities may also have a similar effect on a disciple (an errant driver); because they have not truly seen the same vision for themselves that God has for them. Then there are those who willingly and purposefully ignore these laws, in an attempt to achieve a personal and self seeking goal.

What Our Vision Needs, to be Perceptive:

Specifics !

John 6:43-45 “Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God .' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me .”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete , thoroughly equipped for every good work .”

In order to begin to develop perfect vision towards the righteousness of God, we must be able to define specifically what it is we must perceive. The scriptures alone claim to give the specifics necessary to achieve perceptive vision, that will enable us to achieve righteousness with God.

There are those who make the claim that, we cannot understand the scriptures, or that everyone has their own interpretation! This means that our vision of God's righteousness needs:

Specifics and Understanding !

Do we worship a God of confusion or of order and understanding? In the verses already stated, God claims that order and understanding have been provided through the scriptures. The scriptures are not for private human interpretation, because they are a heavenly origin, and thus must be seen and perceived from that view alone, note: 

2 Peter 1:20-21 “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

By this simple understanding, we learn that only misinterpretation based on selfishness leads to private interpretation. True understanding of the word is then predicated on ones willingness to humble himself to what the word instructs. This can be seen in New Testament Christians, note:

Acts 2:41 “ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized ; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

This brings us to the next point, which is identified in this last passage of scripture. In order to achieve soul saving vision, we need:

Specifics , Understanding , and Action !

My son used to look for things in his room by standing in the doorway and staring into his room. This led to the inevitable statement, “I can't find it!” The fact is, just like my son, we must learn to go and dig. Once we begin to find what we need, we likewise, must use it.

This was again the practice of the first century Christians, note:

Acts 2:42 “ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship , in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

This steadfastness in the doctrine of Christ, allowed these early Christians to grow in faith (find what they seek, by digging), and allowed then to act on behalf of their faith during difficult times in the church ( Acts 5-6 ); during persecutions by their fellow country men ( Acts 7-9 ), persecutions by principalities ( Acts 12 ), and during all of this the church grew and multiplied (because of their actions)!

This also teaches us that soul saving sight is not a one time occurrence that can then be dismissed. Soul saving sight requires:

Specifics , Understanding , Action , and Perseverance !

The Apostle Paul, who is the author of the majority of the New Testament scriptures, wrote mainly to Churches, Christians, and fellow preachers. He had a great deal to say concerning finishing what we have started in order to achieve success, note:

1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ”

Philippians 3:12-15 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind ; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”

Why develop goals, make choices, desire something, and learn about it, if you do not have the intent or determination to see it through???

Not all sight is good! Some have tunnel vision, others have not developed their sight (thus incomplete), while others still simply choose not to see or hear. These are those whom the Lord spoke of in His quote to His disciples! There will be many more who will never develop soul saving sight and will echo another saying of the Lord, note:

Matthew 7:21 " Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven , but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

Only sight that has a grand scope (educated by the word of God), worthy of its mission and specific in the steps necessary for it to be accomplished, will lead one on the correct path. This souls saving sight must then be fed continually by the word that it may grow in faith and foundation. In addition, it must be laced with boldness and perseverance to see it to its end.

This is the sight that we, the members of the Lord's church, wish to share with you. Like this soul saving sight; we only adhere to God's revealed word (not the creeds of men), study from it, learn from it, and worship according to it! We are simply disciples guided by the word as are found within the pages of the New Testament. We do not embarrass, intimidate, demand money, ignore strangers, insult intelligence, or prey on emotions. We simply wish to see and help you see the true teachings of Christ apart from the denominational proclamations.

Come and See !

We invite you to worship with us:

Sunday Morning Bible Study – 10 A.M. (Classes for all ages)

Sunday Morning Worship – 10:50 A.M. (Communion, Prayer, Singing, and a Sermon)

Sunday Evening Worship – 5 P.M. (Singing, Prayer, and another practical lesson)

Tuesday Advanced Bible Study – 7 P.M.

Wednesday Evening Service – 7 P.M. (Singing, Prayer, and Bible Classes)

Visit our web site at: plvcc.org