Summary:

What will we be like in heaven?  What will I look like in Heaven?  This answer might surprise you!  Consider what the Apostle John said he knew about Heaven.

Scripture:

1 John 3:2-3

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

Can I tell you what my favorite passage in all of scripture is? I hope your answer is yes, ’cause I’m going to tell you anyway. First John Chapter Three Verse Two: Beloved, now we are children of God and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is.

This old apostle reaching the end of his life, writing to the church he had served for most of his life, writes to them and says, I don’t know… I don’t know what w e will be like in eternity, but I know this, we will be like him. Are you ready to go there? I hope you are today. If not, I hope you’ll get ready today. Get ready to go be like Christ.

Summary:

The rich buy things, but the Bible gives us an insight into what the rich ought to buy if they want to be successful beyond this life.  Failure to purchase this one asset has been the downfall of more rich people than any failure.  It has brought about millions of dollars in losses, and tanked whole companies.    
No cashflow analysis will show you this… the one thing that matters most for a rich person to possess.

Scripture:

James 1:9-11 – Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

Riches in this life can buy you a lot of things. It can buy you position; it can buy you prominence. But friend, if you’re rich and you’re a member of the body of Christ, may I encourage you to allow your riches to buy you humility? James chapter one, James writes, let the lowly brother (physically)… the lowly brother glory in his exaltation… Those who are poor, those who are lowly in this life, God exalts them. …But the rich in his humiliation. If you’re going to be happy about something and you’re rich, if you’re going to be happy about something today, may I encourage you, be happy if you’re humbled. Be happy if you’re lowered; be blessed in humiliation. It’s hard to be rich and serve God.

Scripture: 

1 Timothy 6:18 – That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

I heard a phrase growing up that I don’t hear much anymore, maybe it’s being said just not around me, but it was someone’s “filthy rich.” We should never be filthy rich. We should never be so rich that it destroys our purity. But Paul writes to Timothy and he says, command those who are rich in this present age, not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them… All right, if you’re rich, this applies to you. …Let them do good, that they may be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.

If you’re rich today, there’s your call. Be ready to give, ready to share, and rich, not in money, but in good works.

Summary:

Where does God dwell?  Will you go there?  Does He dwell on a high mountain?  Does He dwell in a mythical place?  Can you walk up to Him and talk to Him as you are right now?

What must you do to be ready to go into the presence of God?

Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:15-16 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

Where does God dwell? Where is the home of God? What would it be like to be near the home of God? There’s a lot of things in scripture that we could read on this idea, but Paul writes to Timothy, his son in the faith, and first Timothy Chapter six and he says this: Concerning the king of kings and Lord of Lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light. The light of God is such that we in flesh, in human form, cannot be in his presence. God dwells in a place where we have to be changed to go. First Corinthians 15 says, that’s the resurrection, and if you’re faithful, you can go.

Summary:

Paul calls upon Timothy to share with him in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:8 – Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

We love it when people share that way. We love it when someone shares the last piece of cake, last biscuit on the plate. Some of us are better at sharing than others. Some of us, it just comes naturally. It’s just something we do. We share with people. Some of us, it doesn’t come naturally. We have to give thought to it and we have to desire to share and we don’t like it when somebody forces us to share.

But Paul encourages Timothy to share something with him, not what you’d expect. Verse Eight of Second Timothy Chapter One, he says, therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me his prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel. Are you sharing in those sufferings? Are you suffering for the cause of Christ? Share with me, won’t you.

Summary:

Man of God – Pursue Righteousness.  Paul told Timothy to run after righteousness. 

Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:11 – But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition,

I am not a runner. I am not a person who likes running or enjoys running, but the Bible tells me to be pursuing. In First Timothy Chapter six verse 11 Paul says, But you, O man of God, flee these things, the less of the world and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. If you’re a preacher, if you’re a teacher, if you’re an elder, if you’re a deacon, if you’re a leader in the Lord’s body, may I encourage you? Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, purity, peace, all the days of your life as a man of God.

Summary:

Timothy is instructed to pray for a number of different groups of people.  Among them are the household of faith, but also the King. 

Scripture:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

Who’s on your prayer list? I hope you have one and I hope you’re praying for them, but may I encourage you to add a few more if you don’t already have them on your prayer list. Paul writes to Timothy and he says, Therefore, I exhort first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of things be made for all men pray for the world and all who live in it.

But he also says for kings and all who are in authority, if your prayer list doesn’t include your president, King, queen, or whatever you have, may I encourage you to put them on that list?

Pray for the king, prayed for the rulers they needed. Pray and respect the power of prayer. Pray for those who need it. Pray for those you love. Pray today.

Summary:

Paul asked to have the thorn in his flesh removed.  God said “No” because God gives power to the weak. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 40:29 – He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

Paul had a problem. He didn’t like the fact that he had a problem, but he had a problem and he wanted to get rid of it. So he went to the only person that he could actually get to fix the problem. He went to God. And he asked God to take away the thorn of his flesh. God said, no. God said, my grace is sufficient. In Isaiah chapter 40, this is what we read. He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might, he increases strength. God told Paul, when you’re weak, I’m strong. Do you have weaknesses? Do you have difficulties? Do you have things problems you wish would just go away? May I encourage you to find God’s strength in your weaknesses? Do that today.

Summary:

The king is coming, but are you prepared?

Scripture:

Isaiah 40:1-3 NKJV 1 “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. 2 “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the LORD’S hand Double for all her sins.” 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

A cry goes out in the city. “The king is coming! The King is Coming! And it’s great news. King’s passing through. Everything in the village changes. Everybody picks up. It’s like mom coming home and your room’s a mess. You pick it up. You make sure everything’s right.

The king is coming. Isaiah chapter 40 verse one, comfort. Yes. Comfort my people says God, speak comfort to Jerusalem and cry out to her that her warfare is ended and her iniquity is pardoned. For she has received from the Lord’s hand, double for all her sins. The Voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Take the twisted road and make it straight. Take the hills and level ’em out. The king is coming. Prepare the way. That was John’s message. John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord. He made hearts ready to repent. Have you repented?

Summary:

Jesus offers salvation, but He is also the Creator.  What is He offering you?

Scripture:

John 1:1-3, 14 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him, without who? Without the word. Nothing was made that was made. Jesus offers you salvation. He offers you a way to the father, but did you also know he created everything around you? If you’re going to seek salvation from this life, may I encourage you, seek it from the one who created this life. And upholds it by the word of his power, Hebrews chapter one. May I encourage you to seek it from Christ and him alone. Take that with you today and consider if you’re seeking salvation from the right individual.

Summary:

Jesus did not respond to his accusers and we should learn the lesson in this for us.

Scripture:

Mark 15:3-5 – And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.  Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”  But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
 
Transcript:

And now, Admonition…

Sometimes we say too much. That goes without saying. Sometimes we talk too often. There was a time in which Jesus said nothing. in Mark chapter 15, then Pilate asked him saying, do you answer nothing? He’s on trial and he’s giving no reply for their accusations. He says, Do you answer nothing? See how many things they testify against you? But Jesus still answered nothing. So that Pilate marveled. Here’s the governor of the people and he’s astonished that this man stands and says nothing.

Why can you say nothing when someone speaks against you? Let me encourage you to think about it this way. Jesus life spoke for him. Does yours?

Summary:

If everyone has gone astray, have you turned back to God? You will not go God’s way without a cost. Are you willing to pay the cost?

Transcript:

And now, Admonition.

Isaiah chapter 53 speaks of a lamb, a lamb taken to the slaughter, a lamb put to death for our sins. But here in verse six we read this, All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him. Who? The lamb. The iniquity of us all. You can’t go your way without a cost, and Jesus paid the cost. Will you change and go God’s way? Give it some thought today. Go God’s way. 

God exhorts us to reason with Him. 

Transcript:

And now, admonition.

Reason… reason is a beautiful thing. To think and consider, to analyze, and to reason about something. It is a valuable tool, a valuable asset to any individual in their daily lives. But did you know God calls upon us to reason with Him? In Isaiah chapter one, in verse 18 he says, Come now, let us reason together. Says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red light crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. God says, reason with me. Come to an understanding with me. Obey me, and I’ll bless you.

Summary:

The sons of Aaron made a sinful choice because of a bad influence.  Remove this bad influence from your life.

Scripture:

Leviticus 10:1-2, 9-10 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD…. 9 “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, 10 “that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,

Transcript:

And now Admonition…

Two men were invited to take part in the ceremony. They were invited to take part in the beginning of a ceremony that that would set and alter the course of an entire nation. And they didn’t live through the experience. Aaron had two sons names Nadab, and Abihu. He had four… those two we’re talking about, Nadab and Abihu were priests of God. They were supposed to offer fire and incense upon the altar and they didn’t do it properly. And do you know why? If you read Leviticus chapter 10 very carefully, you’ll find out why… they were drunk. They didn’t know the difference between one fire and another, and they put the wrong fire on the altar and God took their lives. Don’t drink.

Description:

The world might mistakenly think that it knows you, but if you love God, it is wrong. 

Scripture: 

1 John 3:1 – Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Transcript:

And now admonition brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Have you ever been approached by someone who didn’t know you and they thought they did? Came up to you and said, hi, good to see you, and you’re thinking, who? Who is this person? The world’s like that for a Christian. I’ll not that we don’t know people personally, but first John Chapter three verse one says, behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God. Therefore, the world does not know us because it did not know him. Jesus Christ was an anomaly to the world. He was a contrast to the world. They didn’t understand them. They didn’t want to understand him. They rejected him and Jesus said, they hated me and they’ll hate you too. May I encourage you, be a stranger to the world in your daily life.

Description:

How you should treat one another.  It is important to consider how you treat one another.  Lying destroys your influence for God.  Truth-telling helps others to see God even when it is difficult.  

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:25 – Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

Transcript:

The scripture admonishes us. Therefore putting away lying. Let each of you speak truth with his neighbor for we are members of one another. Have you ever given thought to that?

Have you ever given thought to the reality that you are a participant together with everyone around you, a participant together in obedience with God? And if you lie to someone, you hold them back from believing in God. You hold them back from obeying the truth. Why? Because you’ve destroyed your influence for the truth.

May I encourage you, speak the truth. Sometimes it’ll hurt, but the man of God speaks the truth even when it does hurt. This writer says, speak the truth.

Description:

Will you be ready?  The apostle James left this life at the hand of Herod.  He died as a Christian.  How will you die?

Scripture:

Acts 12:1-2 – Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Transcript:

In Acts Chapter 12 and in verse one we read this, Now about that time, Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some of the church. Then he killed James, the brother of John with the sword. James The apostle is going to die for Christianity’s sake. He’s going to die for the testimony of the lamb of God. And revelation says, Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. James left this life at the edge of a sword. You might leave this life in one of a million different ways, but my question for you is, will you be ready? Herod would leave this life unprepared. I hope you will get in the scriptures. Read the word.

Description:

What is your spiritual foundation?  Jesus is to be your firm foundation.  He is to be the support for all your choices and service in this life.   Have you made Jesus the foundation of your life, or is your life crumbling beneath you?

Scripture: 

1 Corinthians 3:11 – For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Transcript:

Paul writes to the church at Corinth in first Corinthians chapter three verse 11, he says: For no other foundation can any one lay then that which is laid, which he is Christ Jesus. In your Christianity, if you are a Christian, is the foundation of your spiritual life, Jesus Christ? If you’re not a Christian, your foundation isn’t Jesus Christ. Your Foundation for your spiritual life is not the only one in whom there is hope in eternity.

May I plead with you, build a foundation, build a foundation that will actually last not a foundation of stone or rubble, not a foundation of straw that can burn. Not a foundation of wood that can be destroyed, but a foundation in Jesus Christ. How can you do that? You come to know Jesus Christ through his scripture. Start there.

Description: 
You have to be careful how you speak to the babes in the Body of Christ.  Be careful what you say to them and how you teach them.  They are Christ’s children and they should be loved, encouraged, and protected.

Scripture: 

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

Transcript:

Paul writes to the church at Corinth, and he says this, in First Corinthians chapter three verse one:

And I, brethren could not speak to you as spiritual people, but as to carnal, as to Babes in Christ.

In your congregation where you worship. There are some people that you have to be careful how you speak to them. They’re just babies. They’re not babies physically, they’re babes spiritually. You need to be patient with them. You need to be long-suffering with them.

May I encourage you, please be careful how you speak to a babe in Christ. Be careful what you tell them. Be careful how you tell them. Here’s just a thought. Speak to them as you would a child. Not demeaning them, but in love and protect them for their Babes in Christ.

Scripture: 

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you–unless you believed in vain.

Transcript:

Paul writes to the Corinthians in First Corinthians Chapter 15 verse one and he says this, Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received. And here’s the key phrase in which you stand.

As we think about our lives, as we think about our religious lives, may I encourage you to always take this reality to heart. You have to stand for the Gospel. You have to stand with the Gospel. You have to stand behind the Gospel. If you are unwilling to stand in that which saved you, you will not stand up for the one who saved you.

Verse two says, By which also you are saved. May I ask you? Are you standing?

Summary:

Are you standing for the Gospel?  Are you standing with the Gospel?  Are you standing behind the Gospel?  If so, are you really stand up for God?  
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 – Standing in the Gospel is a part of the Christian life.  
Consider this admonition today. 

Scripture:

Mark 6:21-26 – Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Mark 6:21-26 we find Herodias and her daughter present for Herod’s birthday. And Herod will watch Herodias’ daughter dance and he will promise her up to half the kingdom and she goes out to ask her mother what she should ask for. And her mother says, ask for John the Baptist head. And she makes haste to go back and to tell Herod, I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

And we read in Verse 26 and the king was exceedingly sorry yet because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Be careful who you surround yourself with. Some people won’t want you to repent.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:19-20 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Mark 6:20 we read, For Herod feared John knowing that he was a just and holy man and he protected him — protected him from whom Herodias his wife who wanted to kill him — And when he heard him, he did many things and heard him gladly. Herod was one who listened to John preach, who heard him gladly was open to what John told him and did many things as a result of what John preached.

But there was one area of his life he wasn’t willing to listen to John, and it was about his marriage. He wasn’t willing to listen to John and obey John’s commands to put away his wife because he had no right to be married to her. We need to make sure that when we obey the word of God, we don’t pick and choose. We obey everything God has told us to do.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:22-23 – And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

We read in Mark Chapter six verse 22 and when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced and pleased Herod in those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, ask me whatever you want and I will give it to you. He also swore to her, whatever you ask me, I will give it to you up to half of my kingdom.

This lustful act where Herod watched her Herodias’ his daughter dance. The indication is this dance wasn’t anything like wholesome. It most likely involved in modesty and lustful actions. Lasciviousness is what the Bible would call it. Lust leads you to greater sin. It will lead you down a path of destruction. We need to put aside lust. Paul said, flee youthful lusts, but follow after righteousness.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:16-18 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!”  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.  For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Mark 6:17,18, 19 we could answer the question, Would God ever command that a marriage be broken up because two people weren’t eligible to be married to one another?

Well, the answer’s yes. Not only do we see it in the Old Testament, we see it in the new testament because John the Baptist comes to Herod and says, Herod, it is not lawful for you to have your brother, Phillip’s wife. And he commands Herod to correct the situation. The only way Herod could correct the situation was to put away Herodias and no longer be married to her because she still was the wife of Philip. You know… We ought to obey God rather than man, and we ought to obey God’s laws rather than man’s laws.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Mark 6:19 we find a law ignored and a law obeyed. Herodias held it against John the Baptist because he had come to Herod and said, it’s not lawful for you to have your brother Philip’s wife. So she held it against him. Verse 17 and wanting to kill him, but she could not. Why couldn’t she? Why couldn’t she kill… Or why couldn’t she kill John The baptist? Because Herod said no, she obeyed the law of the king. She obeyed the law of her husband, but she was more than willing to ignore the law of God. We need to understand that God’s laws ought to always take precedence in our lives, no matter who else’s laws we ever obey.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mr 6:17-18 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

We read in Mark 6:17-18, For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

John told Herod, this is against the law. This isn’t lawful. You can’t have Herodias. Now, how dare John say that? How dare John come and try to break up Herod’s happy home? There are people today who will claim that we should ignore God’s laws on marriage because of people’s happiness. John the Baptist wouldn’t have been one of them.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

Transcript

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Mark 6:16 we read this, But when Herod heard thereof, he said, it is John, whom I beheaded, He was risen… Herod believed that Jesus, and the miracles that he was performing, and because of those things, that Jesus was John the Baptist returned from the dead. Herod was afraid because Herod knew what he had done was wrong. Herod knew that his judgment of John was unjust and that he had only done it because of her Herodias. We need to be certain that we live our lives different from Herod. We need to be certain that we live righteously. We need to be certain that we live in a way that we can stand before God on the Day of judgment and know that we lived in good conscience, not like Herod.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Collierville coc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Mark 6:17, we read this, For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Phillip’s wife: for he had married her.

Have you ever done something wrong because someone else wanted you to do it? Have you ever done something wrong purely because someone else was insistent that you do that thing that was wrong? Herod gave into the influence of Herodias his wife. It’s so important that we be careful who we surround ourselves with. It is so important that we be careful about who we allow to influence us and become close to us. We need to be careful to choose our friends and especially our spouse wisely.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org. 

Scripture:

Mark 6:14-15 – Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”
 
 
Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Others said, “This is Elias.” There were many who believed that the works of Jesus were being done by different individuals. Jesus would ask his apostles, who do men say that I am? And some of them believed that he was Elijah come back from the dead. The book of Malachi, tells us that Elijah would return, it prophesied his return. Now Jesus will correct his disciples understanding and they would be told that it would be John the Baptist who came as the representative of Elijah. But here’s the important point. They all believed these things were true about Jesus. We need to be careful that when we interpret the Prophets, we interpret them correctly, and in view of what the new testament writers tell us about those prophets.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Mark 6:14 we read this, and King Herod heard of him for his name was spread abroad and he said that John the Baptist was risen from the dead and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him. Herod had a guilty conscience. Herod had put John in prison and because of Herodias, we’ll find this out in a few verses from now, he had put John to death. And now he thinks having heard these things that John was back, John was back and John was doing these miracles. Herod had a guilty conscience. We need to be careful about the things we do because our conscience will attack us when we do wrong.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, Brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ

In Mark 6:12, we read, So they went out and preached that people should repent. Jesus sends out his disciples here in this context, two by two; Sends out the 12 to the cities of Galilee and he sends them out and here’s their message: Here’s what they’re teaching, Here’s what they’re preaching, Repent! John the Baptist taught the people to repent. Jesus taught the people to repent. The disciples taught the people to repent and in Acts 2:38 Peter’s Message to Israel was repent. We need to learn that God expects us to change our lives to fit his commands, not change his commands to fit our lives.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Mark 6:11 we read, And whoever will not receive you nor hear you when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of judgment than for that city. Jesus says, if you reject my message, if you reject what I send out through my messengers, it’s going to be more tolerable for Sodom than for you. These people would have seen the miracles he did. They would witness the healings and the things and the miracles that the disciples did, and he says, if you reject the message, judgment’s coming upon you. We need to learn this lesson and we need to teach people that there’s a fearful judgment ahead if they reject the message of God.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

In Mark 6:11 we read, And whoever will not receive you nor hear you when you depart from there, shake off the dust from under your feet as a testimony against them. Jesus sends out his disciples with a message. The message belongs to God. The message comes from the father. The message has come through Christ to the disciples, to these people. The message didn’t belong to the Messenger. The Messenger doesn’t get to change the message so that the people hearing the message will obey it. Teachers and preachers may I encourage you, do not adjust the message of God to make it more tolerable for a people who won’t listen. If they won’t listen, the judgment is on them. Speak the truth. Hold fast to the truth without wavering. Do not change the message.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ. Visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:11 – And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

In Mark 6:11 we read, And whoever will not receive you nor hear you. When you depart from there, shake the dust off of your feet as a testimony against them. Jesus will tell his disciples as they go out to teach and to preach. When you go to a city and the people reject you–you can’t find a household that will take you in, that will receive you, that will hear your words–when that happens, you understand something: they’re not rejecting you. They’re rejecting the one who sent you. We need to learn as we teach and preach to others. The rejection of the message is not a rejection of us. It’s a rejection of the Father. It’s a rejection of Christ. It’s a rejection of the one who sent the message.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:10 – Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

We read in Mark 6:10, Also, he said to them, in whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you part from that place. Jesus is going to tell his disciples, when you go to a city, you find the house, a household and you stay there with them. You don’t depart. You don’t go looking for the crowd. You don’t go from place to place. You stay with those who heard you and received your word and they will become the nucleus for your evangelism in that city. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of a small group, a household, a place where that evangelism can happen. We need to learn and relearn today the power of a household doing evangelism and bringing others to Christ.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Mark 6:8-9 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff–no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts–but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

In Mark, chapter six verses eight and nine, He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except the staff. No bag, no bread, no copper in their money belt, but to wear sandals and not to put it on two tunics.

Jesus is giving them instruction about how they’re to travel and he says, you don’t take provisions for the journey. He’s going to send them into cities and they are going to teach and to preach, and those who receive them are going to supply their needs, but there’s something deeper than this.

He wants them to rely on God. He doesn’t want them to go out and seek to teach others relying on themselves. He wants them to rely on God. We need to learn to do the same. Take nothing for the journey, but rely on him who sent you.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ. Visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Special thanks to the Collierville Church of Christ for supplying a location to shoot and produce my Admonition videos.  Each member there has been a great encouragement in this work.
Thank you for all you do for the Lord’s Kingdom!
Aaron
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Scripture:

Mark 6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

Transcription:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

In Mark chapter six verse seven we read this: And he called the 12 to himself and began in them out two by two and gave them power over unclean spirits. Jesus is going to send out the disciples to preach and to teach and to do miracles two by two-and the reason is because Jesus understands the power of partnership.

You don’t have to go far in scripture to find this example throughout scripture: Moses and Aaron, Paul and Silas, Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Timothy, Aquila and Priscilla. Teams of people teaching others. Because when you partner with someone, you can rely on their strengths in your weaknesses and they can rely on your strengths in their weaknesses. We need to learn the power of partnership

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ. Visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel
 
 
Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Is it always easy to get along with other Christians? No. No, it’s not, but it is something we need to strive to do. Paul writes to the Church at Philippi in chapter four verse one and says, Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the Gospel.

Here are two women who at one point labored with Paul in the Gospel teaching others, and now they’re at odds with one another and Paul implores them to be of the same mind in Christ. We need to work hard to be of the same mind in Christ with all Christians and to get along for the Gospel’s sake.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Philippians 3:8 – Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

We read in Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. Yet indeed. I also count all things lost for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ.

Paul emphasizes as he sits in a Roman prison that he has lost everything he had in a physical sense. All of his possessions are gone. He’s in prison. But he’d give it all up again. He counts it as rubbish. He counts it as nothing… Having obtained Christ. What would you pay for the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ? You might have to give everything. Would you give it?

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ? Visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Philippians 2:16 – holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Do you know one of the hardest things in the life of a minister–in the life of a preacher? One of the hardest things in the life of a preacher is when those whom he teaches turn their back on Christ. We read in Philippians chapter two verse sixteen: Holding fast the word of life so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Paul was concerned that they be faithful to God so that his labors weren’t wasted. It’s hard to teach people and then have them turn their back on God. But preachers, don’t ever think that gives you a reason to give up, keep teaching and find those who will be faithful to the word of life.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ, visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Philippians 2:12-13 – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

Have you ever wondered what Paul meant when he said in Philippians 2:12 to work out your own salvation? Well, let me read you the rest of the verse and maybe you can figure it out. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure. How do you work out your own salvation, by obeying — by obeying God, whether the preacher is around or not. By obeying God and living in such a way that God is glorified. Work out your own salvation by working the works of God

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ. Visit Colliervillecoc.org.

Scripture:

Philippians 2:8-9 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name

Transcript:

And now, Admonition, brought to you by the Collierville Church of Christ.

What kind of person do you have to be to obey God? I know one characteristic that is absolutely required. We read about it in Philippians chapter two concerning Christ. We read Philippians two verse eight: And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him the name, which is above every name. In order to obey God, we, like Christ, must humble ourselves. We must decide to bring ourselves down and not be concerned about what happens next and God can lift us up.

For more from the Collierville Church of Christ. Visit Colliervillecoc.org.