EXPOSITORY FILES 1.3

March, 1994

_______________________________

Edited by Warren E. Berkley

And Jon W. Quinn

________________________________

 

 

Last year, shortly after I hooked up a modem and signed up

with America On-line, the thought occurred to me that an

"electronic" magazine with expository articles would be a

good idea. I didn't have any vision in the night or

anything. It was just a thought, based on the interests

and motivations of a Christian.

 

After a few days I contacted a few other brethren familiar

with this medium and asked what they thought. Most thought

it would be a good idea, but virtually everybody I talked

to said something like, "try it, but don't expect too

much."

 

A few days after joining AOL, I ran into Mark Copeland and

I was impressed with his use of this medium through his

*Executable Outline Studies. I also found an old friend,

Jon Quinn. I first met Jon when we both were preaching in

Kansas back in the 1970's. I held a meeting where he was

working (in Topeka) and we became good friends. Now I've

always regarded Jon as a little weird. But in spite of

that he has always impressed me as a hard working gospel

preacher, and a student and writer of great care and

talent. I contacted my old friend, we exchanged some ideas

and within a few weeks we had put together the first

issue. We had no idea there would be over 100 downloads

the first month {the total now approaches well over that}

and even more the second month. We even received letters

from people without computers (there are some) asking for

access to this journal. We are truly excited about what

has happened, and we are thrilled when we think of the

future.

 

Early last month - during the Florida College Lectures in

Tampa - the first annual meeting of the editorial staff of

EXPOSITORY FILES convened ... both of us were there. We

discussed the future of this E-magazine, and we think

we've come up with several reasons for you to continue

your monthly downloads. Good things are ahead, so stay

on-line.

 

"And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word

of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you

an inheritance among all those who are sanctified," (Acts

20:32).

__________________________________________

 

The "EXECUTABLE OUTLINES" SERIES is an excellent series of

Bible studies and outlines suitable for anyone desiring a

deeper knowledge of God's Word. These are available

through AOL, Compuserve, and other networks .. or, contact

Mark ...

 

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Awareness Of Danger

(Colossians 2:8)

by Warren E. Berkley

_________________

 

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty

deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to

the basic principles of the world, and not according to

Christ," [Colossians 2:8].

 

 

To beware is to be aware and informed of danger. It means,

to take heed and be on your guard, watching for spiritual

dangers. Those who walk through life blind, naive and

ignorant run into things and get hurt. This verse tells us

to be aware. [See also: Eph. 5:15; 1 Pet. 5:8,9; 1 Jno.

4:1.]

 

 

Our text says, "Beware, lest anyone cheat you." The King

James says, "Beware lest any man spoil you." The American

Standard, "Take heed lest there shall be anyone that

maketh spoil of you." Notice this word "spoil." In those

days, in a war, captives or prisoners would be taken away.

Sometimes they would be paraded before crowds in victory

processionals. To be part of the "spoils" of war meant you

had been captured, then humiliated, punished and perhaps

sold into slavery. This is the picture Paul uses to warn

us of what false teachers can do, if we are not careful!

[See also: 2 Pet. 2:1-3 & Rom. 16:17,18.] "Beware, lest

anyone make spoil of you!"

 

 

Notice now the weapons false teachers use to take us

captive:

 

1. Philosophy - a love for some human system of wisdom [1

Tim. 6:20,21; Jer. 10:23.]

 

2. Empty Deceit. Two ideas emerge from this phrase: {a}

that which is deceptive, and {b} that which is empty. When

we allow men to deceive is, we wind up with nothing; we

are rendered empty by the deceitful teachings and

influences of men. [See also: 1 Tim. 2:14; Gal. 6:7-9.]

 

3. THE TRADITION OF MEN is that which is "of man" and has

been handed down from generation to generation. Jesus

charged the scribes and Pharisees with this penetrating

question: "Why do you transgress the commandment of God

because of your tradition?" (Matt. 15:3).

 

4. THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE WORLD. This probably refers

to the old Mosaic law. It was basic, and a necessary step

in God's overall plan. It is called "the elements of the

world" in Gal. 4:3, but this law had been annulled and was

not to be enforced as necessary to salvation [See, Acts

15:1-35; Gal. 5:1-6].

 

5. THINGS NOT "ACCORDING TO CHRIST." If some teaching is

"according to Christ," that means He authorized it; it has

His approval. Hence, that which is NOT according to Christ

is that which He didn't authorize; that which does not

have His approval. These false teachers, who were

attempting to influence the saints at Colossae, were using

human philosophy, empty deceit, human tradition, the basic

principles of the world and other things which were NOT

ACCORDING TO CHRIST.

 

 

My friend, don't be afraid to hold to this conviction -->

If something is not according to Christ, we ought not to

have any participation in it!! Paul tells us to have no

fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but

rather reprove them (Eph. 5:11).

 

 

We ought not to let anybody convince us that there is

something we need for our spiritual welfare, unless it is

according to Christ. In Colossians 2:8, the apostle Paul

sounds the alarm. Will we give heed??

==============================

 

 

 

 

 

A Savior Is Born

Luke 2:1-20

by Chris Reeves

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When the angel announced to the shepherds the birth of

Jesus he said: "Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good

tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for

there is born to you this day in the city of David a

Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  Jesus is our Savior! 

What good news!  Let us briefly examine some of the events

that surround this glorious announcement.

 

NO ROOM FOR A SAVIOR (vv.1-8). Luke records an important

historical event that took place during the days of Caesar

Augustus.  Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem because

it was the time for enrollment.  There was someone else

that went with them that day.  Mary was carrying the

world's Savior inside her.  The city was crowded because

many had come to be enrolled and there was no room in the

inn for Joseph, Mary and our Savior.

 

Today, the hearts of many are like that little inn of

Bethlehem; crowded with sin; crowed with worldly cares,

pleasures, prizes and pursuits; and crowed with human

wisdom; so much so that they have no room for the Savior

in their lives.  Jesus said: "Behold I stand at the door

and knock, if any may hear my voice and open the door, I

will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with

me" (Revelation 3:20).  Will you open the door of your

heart and give the Savior room in your life?

 

AN ANGEL'S SERMON (vv.9-14).  Outside the city of

Bethlehem some shepherds were watching over their flocks

by night.  Suddenly, an angel appeared to them and said:

"Be not afraid..."   There was no reason for the shepherds

to fear because what the angel was about to say was a

glorious revelation from God.  The coming of a Savior into

the world is a cause for rejoicing, not fear.  What did

the angel announce?

 

            First, notice the character of his

announcement.  The angel announced "good tidings of great

joy."  It is a joyous occasion when a Savior comes into

the world and we obey him.  Jesus said: "Even so, I say

unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of

God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10).  After

the Eunuch believed the good news about Jesus and was

baptized, "he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:39). 

There is no joy like the joy of salvation from sin.

 

            Second, notice the scope of his announcement. 

What the angel said was not just for the shepherds, but

"to all the people."  Jesus is indeed the "Savior of the

world" (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14).  No race, color, class or

gender of people are exempt from salvation.  However, all

must obey the gospel of Jesus in order to be saved. 

Speaking of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews said: "he became

unto all them that obey him the author of eternal

salvation" (Hebrews 5:9).  Paul wrote that Jesus is "the

Savior of the body" (Ephesians 5:23).  We must therefore

be "baptized into the one body" (1 Corithians 12:13) in

order to be saved by the Savior.

 

            Third, notice the substance of his

announcement.  The angel said that Jesus was "a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord."  Jesus is "Savior" because he

saves mankind from sin (Matthew 1:21).  Jesus is "Christ"

("Christ" means anointed) because God anointed him to heal

all mankind from spiritual illness (Luke 4:18-19).  Jesus

is "Lord" because he is ruler of all mankind (Acts 10:36). 

Will you let Jesus save you, heal your spiritual illnesses

and rule your life?

 

Soon this angelic messenger was joined by a multitude of

other angels who offered praise to God, saying: "Glory to

God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom

he is well pleased."  God is to be praised for giving us

such a wonderful Savior.  Paul wrote: "But God commendeth

his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet

sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).  Peace comes to

each man when his sin which separates him from God is

removed by the blood of Jesus through baptism.  Again Paul

wrote: "Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace

with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).  Do

you want this peace in your life?

 

URGENT SHEPHERDS (vv.15-20).  What did the shepherds do

with this new revelation from God?  They showed intense

interest.  When the angels departed the shepherds

immediately made plans to come into Bethlehem to see the

Savior, "and they came with haste."  When someone is

sincere and serious about his own salvation he will make

immediate plans to find the Savior.  He will search until

he finds Jesus.  Jesus said: "Blessed are those who hunger

and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled"

(Matthew 5:6).  On another occasion when he was asked by

his disciples, "Lord, are they few that are saved," Jesus

said: "Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I

say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be

able" (Luke 13:24).  Only the urgent, only those who

strive, will be saved.  The Savior is waiting to be found

on the pages of the New Testament.  Will you, like the

shepherds, make haste to find him?

 

The enthusiasm of the shepherds did not cease when they

found the Savior.  When they saw Jesus they "made known

concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this

child."  Their news was to joyous to keep to themselves so

they proclaimed to all that could hear.  When you have a

good thing you want to share it with others.  The first

century Christians "went about preaching the word" (Acts

8:4).

 

When we find the Savior and obey him we will return to our

daily routine the same way these shepherds did -

"glorifying and praising God for all the things that they

had heard and seen..."  Sometime after the apostle Paul

found the Savior and obeyed him he said: "For our

citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a

Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20).  Can

you say the same?

 

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Martha's Discovery Of The One Necessary Thing

(Luke 10:38-42)

By Jon Quinn

_________________

 

     Jesus had three friends who lived in Bethany. He

would occasionally stay in their home when He was in

Judea. Lazarus, Mary and Martha were brother and sisters.

They lived together in the same house which probably was

owned by Martha. At least, Luke records that it was Martha

who welcomed the Lord into her house (LUKE 10:38).

     Bethany was located on the eastern slope of the Mount

of Olives on the road linking Jerusalem to Jericho. It was

just over a mile and a half from Jerusalem, or about a

half hour's walk. It would have been a very convenient

place for Jesus and His fellow Galileans to stay when

visiting Jerusalem for a feast day or on some other

occasion. Also, its proximity to the garden of Gethsemane

should be noted.  Though we only have the record of the

Lord's final visit to Gethsemane for prayer and His

subsequent arrest there, we know that it was a favorite

place of His while in the Jerusalem area. Luke records

that it was His custom to go to that particular place

(LUKE 22:39,40).

     There are three passages of Scripture which mention

Martha. They are LUKE 10:38-42 when Jesus taught in her

home while she busied herself preparing food for her

guests; JOHN 11:1-44 when Jesus raised her brother Lazarus

from the dead and JOHN 12:2 when Jesus visited her home

just six days before His crucifixion. We find her busy

again preparing food while her sister Mary anoints Jesus'

feet with costly perfume.

 

LIFE'S DISTRACTIONS

     "And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was

listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But

Martha was distracted by all her preparations; and she

came up to Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my

sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell

her to help me." (LUKE 10:39,40). Both Mary and Martha are

disciples of Jesus. These two women deal with Jesus' visit

in two different ways. It is certainly important to

observe something just now: it was not an either/or

proposition for them or for us. We do not have to choose

between worshiping the Lord like Mary or serving the Lord

like Martha. Neither does there need to be such a conflict

between our physical or secular needs and our spiritual

growth. Sadly, that is exactly what many believers end up

with.

     A careful reading of the context shows us that Mary

had been in the kitchen with Martha until Jesus started

teaching.  Note Martha said that her sister had left her

alone to do all the serving.

     But Jesus knows that neither Mary nor Martha can live

by bread alone (MATTHEW 4:4).  It was now time to digest

some spiritual bread and feed the soul. Martha was being

distracted from her soul's needs by other things.  The

other things in this case are not bad things. Sometimes,

even good things can fill up our lives to the point where

we neglect our souls. God has not blessed us with our

families, friends, jobs, abilities and other gifts to give

us an excuse to abandon a close walk with Him. Without Him

we can do nothing (JOHN 15:5).

 

DO NOT LET SO MANY THINGS WORRY YOU

     "But the Lord answered and said to her, 'Martha,

Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many

things." (LUKE 10:41).  Anxiety is a killer. Many of the

physical and mental ills of our present day are stress

related. And Martha is certainly a stressed out lady at

this point in time. Her exasperation can be seen in the

way she forms her question, "Lord, do You not care...?"  I

can well imagine her "stewing" for a time in the kitchen

(where else would you stew?) before being emboldened to

charge into the room in such a way.

     And certainly the Lord does care, but not nearly as

much about the problem as Martha sees it as He does about

the real problem of which Martha is unaware.  The Lord is

more concerned about Martha's state of mind and priorities

than He is about being served a feast later on.

     Where faith grows, anxiety lessens. This is one of

the chief lessons Jesus taught earlier in His ministry

during what we call the sermon on the mount;  "Do not be

anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall

we drink?'... But seek first His kingdom and His

righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto

you." (MATTHEW 6:31-33). Having the correct set of

priorities (putting His kingdom first) will greatly reduce

your chance of heart attack.

 

THE NECESSARY THING

     "...but only a few things are necessary, really only

one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be

taken from her." (LUKE 10:42). The good part which Mary

had chosen was to listen to the Lord's teaching.  In the

final scheme of things, the things Jesus said that day

were of much more importance than what He ate. Today, if

we are too busy to commune with the Lord; to pray and

study His word; to meditate on life's purpose and to enjoy

a peaceful, private time with Him, then there is something

horribly wrong with our practice. If our walk of faith

consists mainly of going to church and then on with life's

busy day then we are not receiving of the goodness that

the Lord has planned for us. And if we are so hassled by

the routines of daily existence that we find ourselves

lashing out at those we love as Martha did on that

occasion, then isn't that a good indication that something

needs fixed?

 

THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

     "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the

life; he who believes in Me shall live even if He dies."

(JOHN 11:25).  After Lazarus had died, and as Jesus

approached Bethany, it was Martha who ran to meet Jesus

while Mary remained at the house.  Her first words seem to

mingle faith and complaint; "Lord, if You had been here my

brother would not have died. " (JOHN 11:21). While one

does not want to condone the complaint, it must be

understood that many of the faithful have complained about

one thing or another. Abraham, Job, Moses, David and

Jeremiah to name a few. God seems to have more patience

with this than He does with faithless grumbling and

foolish accusations such as those made by the Israelites

in the wilderness.

     Martha's faith in Jesus never wavered. When Jesus

asks her about her belief in Him, she sums up her faith

this way; "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the

Christ, the Son of God, even He that comes into the

world." (JOHN 11:27).

     Jesus had earlier said only one thing is really

necessary. I believe He was referring to faith. Faith

comes by hearing His word (ROMANS 10:17).  Faith overcomes

the world (I JOHN  5:4). Without faith it is impossible to

please God (HEBREW 11:6). We must keep the faith to

receive the crown of righteousness at life's end (II

TIMOTHY 4:7,8). For that reason, the gospel is taught that

men and women might be led to the obedience of faith

(ROMANS 16:26).

    Jesus approached the tomb where Martha's brother's

body lay. Four days before he had died. But the One with

the keys to death and Hades was about to call Lazarus back

to this realm.  Martha would soon be reunited with her

brother.

 

A BALANCED APPROACH TO SERVING JESUS

     "So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was

serving but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the

table with Him." (JOHN 12:2). Here we find Martha serving

again. This time the purpose of the gathering is to have

supper. The end of Jesus' ministry is approaching, and it

seems as if both Mary and Martha are far more aware of the

fact than even the apostles. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with

costly perfume and weeps openly. Martha does the thing she

evidently knew the best. She fixes our Lord a dinner for

perhaps her last time. No complaint this time. The Lord is

about to go to the place from which He had called Lazarus.

     But remember who we are talking about. It is Jesus,

whom Martha had identified as the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus had identified Himself as the resurrection and the

life. He had proven it by raising her brother from the

dead. He would prove it again on the third day following

His own death. He would live again!

 

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The Great Supper

(Luke 14:15-24)

By Randy Reynolds                                          

_________________

 

 

               THE GREAT SUPPER

 

     Luke 14:15-24, "Now when one of those who sat at the

table with Him heard these things, he said to Him,

'Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!' 

 

Then He said to him, 'A certain man gave a great supper

and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to

say to thosw who were invited, 'Come, for all things are

now ready.'  But they all with one accord began to make