The city is under siege, the powerful army outside the gates! No food, what will we do? This account that is recorded in 2 Kings chapter 6 is one for the record. Probably the bleakest and most horrific story in all the biblical record, short of judgement day, when all who refused Christ’s invitation will be cast into Hell for eternity. But here in this account from the Old Testament, the king hears a cry for help from a mother who became so desperate that she cooked her own son and . . .

Many religious leaders on a regular basis falsely claim a number of things that the “Churches of Christ Believe or Don’t Believe”. On such accusation is that “We believe the instrument is sinful”. This lesson is designed to refute that notion and explain what we do believe. As usual, and in all these lessons, the Bible will be the basis for our belief. . .

Peter said we must be, “clothed with humility”. The Greek verb is a rare, used only by Peter and means, “tie yourselves up in humility.” According to Robinson this refers particularly to a long white apron, or outer garment, that was commonly worn by slaves. Maybe Peter used this word to stress this point and cause the saints to take note., as your Lord and Christ was humble, you also must be.  Jesus is the only Head of the church and there are no hierarchies below Him.  No exalting of people one over another, he says clothe yourselves with humility, and serve one another with it.  Recognize where we stand before God—we are all equally lost or equally saved, no one is more important…

“Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 26:3). Yes Uzziah was young when he became king, but at the age of sixteen it was still amazing to read from the word of the Lord that he “did what was right in the sight of the Lord”.  In fact Uzziah’s “fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong” (v.16). And thus the problem, Uzziah’s pride got the best of him, and as a result “. . . when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense” (v.16). We need to learn from this king. Learn by his mistakes so that we don’t become filled with pride and become useless to the Lord. 

This verse the direct contradiction to the “world’s religious view” that Christianity is all about being released from trials. Peter says this in not going to be easy people. What are you saying Peter? Peter said, it is going to be a “firey” ordeal—That does not sound like a cakewalk—in fact that is scary. The word used for fiery—is not just a usual fire. The word is [πύρωσις] poo’ ro’ sis: Referring to a [a refining] fire such as is used to in metals. Proverbs 25:4 “Take away the dross from silver, and it will go to the silversmith for jewelry”. This kind of fiery trial is different from a campfire – like on the isle of Malta where the natives showed kindness and kindled a fire to make Paul and the others welcome. You could liken it more to the trial that “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego” experienced—not so much the fire—but the persecution they faced. That is what Peter is describing here—and he is saying brethren—don’t be surprised – don’t think it strange, do not be surprised that you will no doubt go through fiery trials—that will not be pleasant. Fiery trials that will refine you and change your life forever…

Sadly, many people have been misinformed about what the Church of Christ believes and what it teaches. In this series we will address some of these false narratives such as the churches of Christ teach that people are saved by water baptism. It does not! In fact I have never heard a preacher of the Gospel as much as even insinuate such. l will however explain the role that baptism plays in our salvation. I will by the scripture show that we are not saved by any one thing. Not saved by faith only, nor prayer only, nor grace only. We will use the word of God to answer the question what must I do to be saved?

We live in considerably difficult times and the world is escalating in its abhorrence toward the Lord, the church and all godliness. But when Peter wrote this letter in the first century the saints were suffering persecution, prison and death. In the America we are not to that point, but Christians who shine the light of Christ in their daily lives will. . .

Peter says,  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). With this in mind we have been learning from Peter about suffering for righteousness’ sake, how that through suffering we honor our Maker and at the end–we will find mercy and grace. The by submitting, showing ourselves to be Christlike, we may win over some who are not followers. All done to the glory of God. 

Now in the 4th chapter Peter we begin a two part lesson. First because Jesus suffered there are things we MUST NOT DO. Second, because Jesus suffered there are things we Must do. We begin with the first verse where Peter says, “Therefore, since Christ suffered [a]for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind. . . ” What does this mean? It means we need to suffer, we need to live righteous lives according to the spirit of truth.  It means we cannot walk the path of least resistance. . . 

We continue from the previous lesson to consider the things Peter is teaching in this first letter to the pilgrims and sojourners at chapter 3 and verses 18 through the end of the chapter.  Sin separates us from our Creator God. What must we do to be saved and reconciled? What role does our heart play? What role does baptism play? Must we be righteous, must we obey God? How many were on the ark? Is baptism a mindless act? Is how we live after baptism important? What role. . .

Every time we study our bibles it is imperative that read with understanding concerning the source of every word. The word of God is just that, the word of God. Not Paul, not Peter, not Matthew, Mark, Luke, James or John, God. This is really a struggle for many who have not study the origin of scripture. The bible is either the word of men who have written vainly to find God, or it is the Word from God to man that contains all we will ever, in this life, need to know God, and His will for us (2 Peter 1:3). 

Fact is the the latter is true, for God wants us all to have unity of the faith (Eph. 4:1-6), and that can only be done if we learn and apply the scripture rightly to our lives (2 Tim. 3:16-17). True faith, “real faith”, comes only by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17; John 6:63). 

With these truths in mind, we must understand that each time we study, we do not have the right to “privately interpret” (2 Peter 1:19-21, cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Context is everything, and of the plethora of false teachers the preponderance of them exist because of not “rightly dividing” scripture which results in “proof texts”. . . This exactly defines most bible teachers, and preachers today, simply put it is applied to anyone who teaches doctrine based upon one scripture. All scripture must harmonize or “we”, not God, are mishandling the text, and more often than not–to our own advantage, and to our own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). As we do our study (2 Part) in this lesson, and every lesson, we need to keep this fundamental truth that we don’t. . .