Tag: Word of God

JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE

Published on by sgf1964Leave a comment

By

Shelby G. Floyd

Bread is one of our most basic physiological needs of the body. When Lewis and Clark set out on their transcontinental expedition, bread was one of the staples that they prepared enough to take them to the mouth of the Columbia and back to St. Louis. We all need bread—healthy food to have a healthy body. In Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs, bread would be at the foundation, because it is difficult to think about anything else when a person is hungry. But bread alone will not motivate a person to be all they can be and reach their full potential both here and hereafter.

The Work of God is to Believe

In the book of John, Jesus had told the people that “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29.) The crowd of people who came out to see and hear Jesus, challenged him to give them a miraculous sign in order that they might believe in him: Continue reading “JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE” →

THE TRADITIONS OF MEN

Published on by sgf1964Leave a comment

By

Shelby G. Floyd

The critics of Jesus and his disciples watched him like a hawk to find something to condemn him. It did not take them long before they found the disciples eating their food without going through the ceremonial washing required by “the traditions of the elders” (Mark 7:1-5). They demanded an explanation why they would have the audacity to violate the “traditions of men.”

Jesus defended the actions of the disciples by referring them to the word of God. He had previously rebuked them for adding their man-made traditions to the Sabbath day and thereby making the law of God of no effect (Mark 2:23-3:6). Now on this occasion, He replied,

“Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men” (Mark 7:6-8).

In making application of Isaiah’s teaching, Jesus explained that they held on to their traditions while letting go of the commands of God. The word of God taught them to honor and take care of their parents in their old age (Exodus 20:12). But by their “traditional trick,” they released themselves from this obligation—thus violating the word of God. This was just one example, because Jesus said, “And you do many things like that” (Mark 7:13).


The divine revelation of the gospel handed down to us by Christ and the apostles is also referred to by the term tradition: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The traditions and commandments of men are not to be blindly followed, but the biblical traditions are to be faithfully followed (2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 11:2).

Copyright © 2020 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved



Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 45142
shelby@thefloyds.net



WHAT IS TRUTH?

Published on by sgf1964Leave a comment

By

Shelby G. Floyd

The question asked by Pilate is still a good question, “What is truth?”

What is truth? Said jesting Pilate and would not stay for an answer.
–Francis Bacon

WHAT IS TRUTH?
Today, there are some who deny that we can know what truth is; others believe that truth is relative, that circumstances alter each case, and therefore, truth is not absolute; others believe that various situations determine what truth is. This has led to a state of confusion. Still people are sincerely searching for the truth.

TRUTH IS…
Truth involves the quality or state of being true. Therefore, truth involves such ideas as constancy, veracity, sincerity and genuineness. Truth is that which is represented and corresponds to reality. Truth is that which conforms to an absolute rule of exactness and correctness; it is that which conforms to fact or reality. Truth must conform to what is, has been or must be. The answer to what is truth is best understood by a realization that God is the very essence and nature of truth. God cannot lie, and he has confirmed his word by an oath. God is therefore spoken of in the Bible as the God of truth:

“Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth” (Psalms 31: 5).

We can always trust our God of truth:

“So that he who blesses himself in the earth
Shall bless himself in the God of truth;
And he who swears in the earth
Shall swear by the God of truth;
Because the former troubles are forgotten,
And because they are hidden from My eyes”
(Isaiah 65:16).

GOD ORIGINATES ALL TRUTH

The Father is the originator and giver of all truth. In the fullness of time the Father sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. The Son has personalized the truth of God. Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). The grace and truth of God came by Jesus Christ (John 1: 17). Jesus Christ then is the very embodiment of God’s truth, for he himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Copyright © 2019 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142

WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?

Published on by sgf1964Leave a comment

By

Shelby G. Floyd

When Jesus saw the palsied man let down into the room where he was teaching, he said, “My son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). Some sitting nearby were startled and in their hearts thought Jesus was guilty of blasphemy. They asked, “Who can forgive sins but God only” (Mark 2:7)?

WHICH IS EASIER TO SAY?

Christ who knows the hearts of men asked them, “Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven or take up your bed and walk” (Mark 2:9)? The key word is “say.” It is definitely easier to say “your sins are forgiven.” This would be hard to verify because it would be an act that would be inward and invisible. To tell a paralytic to take up his bed and walk would be more difficult, for it could only be certified if in fact he did take up his bed and walk.

ONLY CHRIST HAS THE ABSOLUTE POWER TO FORGIVE SINS

To prove that he had the power on earth to forgive sins, Jesus told the paralytic to take up his bed and go home. This he did before them all. Therefore Christ demonstrated the ultimate purpose of all his miracles, signs and wonders. They were to confirm his identity as “the Son of Man” who also was the “Son of God.” Christ was the Son of Man according to the flesh and the Son of God according to the Spirit (Roman 1:3-4).

The miracles of Christ and the apostles confirm that Jesus was who he claimed to be and that the word of God is immutable:

“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31).

Only God has the power to forgive sins. Christ is God in the flesh (John 1:1-3, 14), and forgives sins through his blood (Mt. 26:28; 1:21).

Copyright © 2019 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142

THEWISDOM FROM ABOVE

Published on by sgf1964Leave a comment

(James 1:5; 3:13-18)
By
Shelby G. Floyd

Credit: Google Images

Previously we have studied about the wisdom that “is not from above.” In James 3:13-18, two different kinds of wisdom were contrasted—the wisdom from above and the wisdom from below. James is fond of asking questions and making contrasts. In James 1: 5 he asked, “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God?” If we need wisdom we are to go to God in prayer and the word of God. That is where it is to be found. Pray and then do everything you can through the means that God has given you to acquire wisdom.

In James 3: 13 he asked, “Is there any among you who has wisdom and understanding, let him show it by his good deeds done in humility and meekness of wisdom?” Continue reading “THEWISDOM FROM ABOVE” →

THE RIGHT HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP NO. 2

Published on by sgf1964Leave a comment

By

Shelby G. Floyd

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. -Galatians 2:9 KJV

LESSON TWO

FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST

Many persons do not have an accurate understanding of what is involved in fellowship with God and with one another. About the only idea that some have concerning fellowship is a sign over a door in some church building which says, “Fellowship Room.” This lesson is designed to enlighten our understanding concerning our fellowship with Christ the Son of God.

The apostle John said,

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1: 3).

Continue reading “THE RIGHT HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP NO. 2” →

SPEAK OR STRIKE THE ROCK?

Published on by sgf19641 Comment

By

Shelby G. Floyd

Someone said, “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” Continue reading “SPEAK OR STRIKE THE ROCK?” →

HAVE SELF-CONTROL

Published on by sgf19642 Comments

By

Shelby G. Floyd

 

In his second letter the apostle Peter wrote, “Add to your faith… self-control” (2 Peter 1:6). Every Christian therefore is to learn self-control. Self-control or temperance is “to control the mind and body with all of the lusts.” Continue reading “HAVE SELF-CONTROL” →

CHRIST, THE ETERNAL WORD

Published on by sgf1964Leave a comment

By

Shelby G. Floyd

The book of 1 John was written about 85-90 A. D., at a time when false teachers were denying that Christ was divine and also that he had a fleshly body. John refutes both of these false ideas. There are some today who are still teaching these same false doctrines. Continue reading “CHRIST, THE ETERNAL WORD” →

BIBLICAL INSPIRATION NO. 9

Published on by sgf1964Leave a comment

By

Shelby G. Floyd

THE PERFECT WORD

When Jesus Christ sent the apostles out into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature, he attended their ministry with signs and wonders and miracles (Hebrews 2: 3-4). These miracles were designed to confirm the word (Mark 16:17-20).

Not only were the apostles able to perform all of these wonders, but by the laying on of their hands they were also able to impart spiritual gifts to members of the New Testament church. For example, Peter and John, two apostles, were sent down to Samaria to impart spiritual gifts to those who had been baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Philip, who preceded the apostles to Samaria, was able to work miracles himself; but not being an apostle, be was not able to impart them to others, this being reserved for the apostles (Acts 8: 12-19). Continue reading “BIBLICAL INSPIRATION NO. 9” →