By
Shelby G. Floyd
David, the second king of Israel wrote most of the Psalms. These Psalms indicate that David was a very spiritually minded man of God. For example he wrote:
Psalms 122: 1
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
NKJV
David was glad when someone said, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Some today may be sad or even mad, instead of glad, when it is time to go into the house of the Lord. Continue reading “MAD, SAD OR GLAD!”
By
Shelby G. Floyd
About 65 A.D., the apostle Peter warned the Christians in his day to be aware of false teachers coming into their congregations: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you” (2 Peter 2:1). Since this is the case, how do we go about identifying these false teachers? We are not left in the dark for there are certain obvious signs of their devious ways. Continue reading “EXPOSING FALSE TEACHERS”
By
Shelby G. Floyd
All of God’s people should live our life in such a way, that when we come to the end, we can look back without regret. This means that we must dedicated to the Lord, study his word and rely upon divine wisdom to make the right choices. Life goes by fast and how many times do we hear someone say, “If I had my life to live over again I would have done such and such.” John Greenleaf Whittier wrote,
For all sad words of tongue and pen,
The saddest are these,
‘It might have been’.
“It might have been” represents those who have neglected the great salvation offered by Christ.
In the book of Hebrews the people are warned not to neglect what is important:
Hebrews 2:1-3
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.
NKJV
If we will heed what is said and not neglect our duty, then we can look back without regret and not think about what “might have been.”
No doubt Esau was filled with remorse and regret after he realized he sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. Esau was a profane person and was filled with regret, “For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he carefully sought it with tears” (Hebrews 12:17). No doubt he looked back and wondered again and again, “what might have been.”
Every one of us has a sphere of influence for Christ and the church. We have opportunities to do good for those out of Christ and for those especially who are in the household of God (Galatians 6:10). Let each one of us zealously work to bring our friends and acquaintances into Christ.
Copyright © 2015 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
By
Shelby G. Floyd
When one surveys history some notorious traitors come to mind, such as Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. But the name that most Christians remember is Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ: “Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him’” (Matthew 26:48). Normally, a kiss is a sign of love, loyalty and friendship. But is the case of Judas it has become a symbol of sin, shame and betrayal. Continue reading “BETRAYAL”
Credit: Google Images
By
Shelby G. Floyd
Jesus taught that if we confess him before men he will confess us before the Father. He also said that if we deny him before men he will deny us before the Father:
Matthew 10:32-33
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
KJV
By
Shelby G. Floyd
Jesus Promised to Build One Church. Contrary to the popular notion that one may join the church of his choice, the Bible teaches that there is just one church. In fact, Jesus Christ never promised to build but one church. In the area of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 NKJV). Jesus did not say, “I will build my churches,” but he said, “I will build my church,” singular. Jesus built but one church, and he called it “my church.” Continue reading “The One Church”
By
Shelby G. Floyd
Philippians 4:7, 9
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus….Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
NKJV
To the faithful child of God “the God of peace” gives “the peace of God” that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7, 9). In this setting Paul gives the requirements to keep and maintain this peace: (1) Stand firm in the Lord (Philippians 4:1); (2) Be in agreement with your brother and sister in the Lord (Philippians 4:2); (3) Be a peacemaker by helping to promote peace (Philippians 4:3); (4) Have a rejoicing spirit on all occasions and under all circumstances (Philippians 4:4); and, (5) Let your gentleness be evident to all (Philippians 4:5).
There has been and still is, much harshness in the relationships that Christian people sustain with each other and all men. Jesus said that by our love for each other, all people would know that we are his disciples. Jesus set the example of a reasonable, gentle, moderate, patient, fair and gracious spirit in his dealings with all people. These are just some of the synonyms of the word used in Philippians 4:5.
Paul taught Timothy that an elder should be patient and moderate (1 Timothy 3:3). To Titus he commanded that God’s people should be gentle to all men (Titus 3:17). If we are practicing the wisdom from above, we will be of a gentle disposition. Friends, brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:1). Let your gentleness be evident to all!
Copyright © 2015 Shelby Floyd All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
By
Shelby G. Floyd
The United States Marines have a motto that says, “We are looking for a few good men.” The Marine Corps has a glorious history of good men who were courageous, brave, caring for their fellow Marines, and loyal patriots of America.
Lee Iacocca was a brilliant businessman who pulled the Chrysler Corporation out of almost certain bankruptcy. After he retired he published a book with the title, “Where Have All The Leaders Gone?” He was referring to business leaders who are failing to lead businesses and corporations in successful ways.
God is also looking for leaders and good men to serve him in the family, in the church, and in our great country. Too many fathers are abandoning their families, their jobs, and the church. They are not faithful to their family, their job and the church of Christ.
It is time for fathers to assume their God-given responsibility as the head of the home and religious leader of the family. There is an old English proverb that says, “One father is worth more than one hundred schoolmasters.” The American icon, Mark Twain declared, “My father was an amazing man. The older I got, the smarter he got.”
In the early days of our country, a well-known preacher by the name of Jonathan Edwards said,
Resolved: first; that every man should live at his highest and best for Christ always and everywhere, and second; whether any other man in the world so lives are not, I shall strive with God’s help so to live to the end of my day.
God Almighty is looking for a few good men to be leaders in the home and in the church. But it is increasingly becoming more difficult to find these kinds of men to be leaders in all of the different kinds of responsibilities incumbent on them. There seems to be a decline of male leadership in almost all of our institutions in America. This is not a good thing and we must turn it around in order for God to bless his people.
DECLINE
Today, our lesson is on The Ezekiel Project. There is in the book of Ezekiel a sentence that emphasizes the power of one person:
Ezekiel 22:30-31
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
NKJV
Each person has an individual and personal responsibility to fulfill before Almighty God. And our great leader Jesus Christ does not allow the individual to get lost in the crowd. He wants us to step up and be a man.
In the days of Ezekiel the world was much like our world is today. There was a decline in everything that was good during the sixth century before Christ.
o There was a decline of standards of right and wrong, truth and error.
o There was a decline of morals with everyone doing what was right in their own eyes.
o There was a decline of religion, with the people of God abandoning his word and worshiping and serving pagan idolatry.
The nation of Israel had fallen away from God and was in exile because of their sin and rebellion. Israel had desecrated the Sabbath day–the Jewish day of worship. They were guilty of every form of idolatry—worshiping false gods created by men. They had shed much blood by committing murder. They were guilty of every kind of immorality as described in Leviticus 18, and 20. They were even guilty of practicing child sacrifices that they had learned from their ungodly neighbors.
All of these evil and sinful things were being practiced from the princes to the people—from the head to the toe. Continue reading “The Ezekiel Project–God’s Search For a Man”
By
Shelby G. Floyd
Saul of Tarsus, the foremost persecutor of Christ and the church, did everything within his power to stop the movement of the early Christians. First, we take a look at,
Saul the Persecutor
Acts 8:1-4
And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
But after this took place he underwent a great change in his convictions and was converted to Christ. He was later to become the greatest salesman in history.
Saul’s Encounter with Christ
As he neared the ancient city of Damascus, Syria, a great light brighter than the noon day sun appeared unto him and a voice from heaven asked him why he was persecuting him. He asked, “Who are you Lord” (Acts 9:5)? And the voice spoke again and said, “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). Saul wanted to know what he must do. Jesus instructed him to go into the city and it would be told him what he must do. At this point, most preachers today would have said “you do not need to do anything but believe!”
It Will Be Told You What You Must Do
He went to a house on Straight Street and was in deep penitence for three days, neither eating nor drinking. The Lord sent the gospel preacher Ananias to speak to Saul, informing him that Saul was a chosen vessel to speak before kings, Gentiles and the house of Israel. The Persecutor was to become the Persecuted: “I must show how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:16).
When Ananias arrived, he at once stated that his mission was to restore his sight and that he might be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, Saul arose and was baptized (Acts 9:18). Jesus said that “he that believes and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:15-16). Later, when Paul (formerly Saul) related his own account of his conversion he quoted Ananias to the effect that he was to,
Be Baptized and Wash Away Your Sins
Acts 22:16
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
The above scripture is an inspired commentary on Romans 10:13, that says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” No one can call upon the name of the Lord without being baptized for the forgiveness of sin. All the examples in Acts of Apostles follow the example of Paul’s conversion to Christ. Sinners were instructed to believe in Christ as the Son of God, repent of their sins, confess their faith publicly and be baptized for the remission of sins. This plan is still in effect today. Any recommended plan that does not include these actions on the part of the sinner is not salvation by faith. “The faith that saves is the faith that obeys.”
Copyright © 2014 Shelby Floyd All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd