In this enlightening discussion, we unravel the concept of exhortation and its significance in Christian life. Peter’s address during Pentecost serves as a powerful example of exhortation, urging us to draw nearer to God’s teachings. We further highlight the necessity and role of doctrine in our spiritual journey. Tune in to understand how exhortation calls us to act on the knowledge we gain from the Word, urging a deeper embrace of faith and obedience.
Today from the International Gospel Hour, let us address, well, I tell you what, let’s address things that are needed spiritually. Stay with us today, folks, and we’ll be right back.
SPEAKER 03 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you always to our J-Web for his kind words. You’ll hear from Jay throughout our broadcast. And also, greetings to all of you. We are honored that you have chosen to be with us for our study today from the International Gospel Hour. You know, the Hebrew writer said in Hebrews 4 and verse 12, “…for the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Word of God, indeed, will make a difference in our lives. And how blessed we are in this age that the Word of God, the Holy Bible, is accessible to everyone. You know, it can be purchased in multiple retail places or stores and easily found online to read on our phones, our iPads or computers. And the number of Bibles that are delivered in areas of the world that you cannot receive anything online or technical things are not needed in that area. They just can’t make it there. I am thrilled to hear of those that receive Bibles and reading materials about the Word of God and study materials all over the world. You know, God’s Word instructs us and allows us to address the things within our lives. We see priorities made and devotion grow as we give heed, as we concentrate on those things that be of God. It’s like Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4.13, Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. So friends, today, let’s give attention, or in other words, let’s talk about some things that need addressing. But first, our J-Web with a couple of words about the good folks at Apologetics Press.
SPEAKER 03 :
A quick word about our friends at ApologeticsPress.org. For almost 50 years, these good folks have pursued and developed scripturally sound and scientifically accurate materials in the field of Christian apologetics. You’ve got to check out their website at apologeticspress.org. Peruse and download free material today.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you, Jay. And again, please check out the free material available at ApologeticExpress.org. Awesome people, and we do appreciate them. And we appreciate you joining us for our study today. And from 1 Timothy 4.13, first of all, let’s address reading. To remind ourselves of the Word of God and its all-sufficiency. 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17 says, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Certainly, friends, there’s no need for church manuals, creeds, statements of faith, or anything else. If the Bible says it, that’s sufficient. If it says it not… Steal sufficient and press onward with what it says. A number of students and writers of the Word of God express this phrase of give attention to reading as the public reading of scriptures. Well, this is what Paul desired for Timothy to do. No doubt this would affirm Timothy in teaching and preaching the gospel. And it brings to mind 1 Corinthians 4.17, For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Notice my ways in Christ. Friends, we cannot help but to see other texts of the Word of God read in public. What about when Ezra stood before the people in Nehemiah chapter 8, verses 2 and 3 and verse 8? And I especially love verse 8 that says, So they read in the book and the law of God distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading. Wow, that’s a lesson by itself. Matter of fact, you might hear that coming up on International Gospel Hour. To read, to give the sense, and cause them to understand the reading, to understand it and move on it. What about Christ in the synagogue in Luke 4, 16-21? Here is the word that’s made flesh. John 1 and John 1, 1 and verse 14. And he stands up and he reads from Isaiah. Here is Christ, obedient, standing up and reading in the synagogue. What about Paul and Antioch of Pisidia in Acts 13, 14-16? You see, friends, these are examples of public reading of Scripture. And while public reading seems to be the thought here, obviously we cannot excuse private reading for growth as well. God granted us the words of the Scripture to hear and understand. So, friends, first and foremost, let us give attention to the reading of the Word of God. Number two, let’s address exhortation. It’s such a great word, exhortation, simply meaning to call near or call for. Throughout the scripture, it is exclusively used for the Christian with the exception of Acts 2 and verse 40. As Peter said to those on Pentecost, he testified and exhorted saying, save yourselves. Now to those on Pentecost, he told them in Acts 2 and verse 37, well rather when they asked men and brethren, what shall we do? Recall that answer going back in Acts 2 and verse 21 that they were to call on the name of the Lord. But Peter gives them the answer in Acts 2 and verse 38. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Friends, obedience to God is calling on the name of the Lord. In other words, to those on Pentecost, this is a perfect definition, testified by the Word through the Spirit, for those to call near or call for in obedience to the gospel. They were able to hear what they needed to do. We know they believed in God, and now they’re believing in Christ. Because they said, men and brethren, what shall we do? They were pricked in their heart. It affected them, what they had done to the Christ. Peter said, repent, change your hearts, repent and be baptized, every one of you. And yes, friends, that’s water baptism. I said, whoa, wait a minute now. That’s spirit baptism. Okay, friends? Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. You see, that would come afterward, as we would see on a number of occasions in the book of Acts. The best scripture that defines exhortation is probably 1 Thessalonians 4.1. Furthermore, then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more. So, friends of interest, what is our tool and our base for exhortation? Well, indeed, friends, the Word of God. using the word Peter pled for obedience, and using the word Paul pled for faithfulness. And we must address what we are doing, how we are doing, and friends, where we are going. So we read, we’re exhorted to do the right thing. Number three from 1 Timothy 4.13, let’s address doctrine. Friends, doctrine is important. When an individual will instruct or teach that doctrine is not important, Their doctrine says such. Get this, friends. Another word for doctrine is teaching. So they use doctrine to teach doctrine is not necessary. They will teach that teaching is not necessary, friends. Let’s be honest in a gracious way. That’s a little bit of a ridiculous thought, wouldn’t you say? Wouldn’t you want to know what God has to say? Wouldn’t you want to know the doctrine of Christ? And matter of fact, the sound doctrine, Titus 2 and verse 1? from the Scripture. We’re able to preach doctrine from the Scripture, 2 Timothy 3.16, and to teach doctrine, Matthew 7.28 and 29, and most importantly, to obey doctrine as they did in Acts 2.40-42. You know, friends, we can be destroyed for a lack of knowledge, and we need the Bible to help us. When we read, we exhort, and the doctrine that is there Friends, maybe you’re reading and it’s time to call near or call for to know a little bit more. We have an exceptional study. This study of God and man that we are about to offer you absolutely free. We offer it numerous times here. And it’s a great study. I’ll tell you what. I’ll just allow our J-Web to tell you how you can receive it absolutely free. Then we’ll come back and wrap up our broadcast today.
SPEAKER 03 :
An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled, God and Man, How to be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, God and Man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and man in the message box. Another Bible study that is free from IGH. And our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Reading, exhortation, doctrine, it’s all there provided by the Word of God. When we read and we see what God has to say, then the idea of exhortation, call near or call for, that as we read and study, we see changes that need to be made in our lives and the doctrine that is there always to teach and to instruct. Friends, that’s God’s Word. And we hope that such tools that we share with you, the studies that we do here, our friends at ApologeticsPress.org, and I’m telling you, friends, that study of God and man, how to be saved from sin, is a thorough little book. And if you’ve never received it, once again, Call us at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say God and man. Or you can even go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com and let us know through the contact tab. But for now, friends, we’re going to study together at another time. And I thank you so much for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
God be with you till we meet again.
SPEAKER 03 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com God be with you till we meet again.
