Vol. 03, No. 49

Steven J. Wallace
12/08/24 - Mt. Baker Beacon 2024

“I’ll DO AND THINK WHAT I LIKE”

Dennis Abernathy

The lyrics of a hit song from the 60's by Eric Burdon and the "Animals" are as follows: "It's my life and I'll do what I want. It's my mind and I'll do want I want." It appears the song's message has become the prevailing sentiment of our day. More and more people do think and do what they want, regardless of how immoral and ungodly it is, and feel that no one has a right to say and do anything about it. Ours is the age of tolerance, which has become the watchword or mantra of a growing number of folks. If you criticize ungodly and immoral behavior you are quickly labeled as "unloving, hateful, and judgmental," with some kind of "phobia!" We see this same sentiment today in religion. People think and do what they want to with no compunction, or feeling of guilt at ignoring what God has said in His inspired Word. That's why you see every kind of religion one can imagine practiced today.

But since "none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself" (Rom. 14:7), and since "you are not your own" (1 Cor. 6:19), the afore-mentioned attitude is the epitome of selfishness. It is the attitude that was prevalent in the days of the Judges, when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). Their standard was themselves! But since "the way of man is not in himself" and since "it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jer. 10: 21), wouldn't it be more advantageous to think and do as the Lord directs in His Word, which after all, "is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path?" and the standard by which we all will be judged at the last Day (Psa. 119:105; Jn. 12:48)?

What we think reveals who we are. Someone said, "You may not be who you think you are, but you are what you think." Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinks in his heart so is he." Therefore, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). Thus, all-the- more reason we ought to "bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). 

SENTENCE SERMONS

“Many people borrow trouble and return it with interest.”

“When life below gets dark, try looking up.”

“To be angry with a weak man is proof you are not very strong yourself.”

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PICTURES OF THE CHURCH

Ephesians 3:8-12

Find seven pictures or symbols the Bible uses to describe the church, and list what these images teach us about its identity and purpose.

What are some components of a healthy body? (Ephesians 4:15, 16)



Succinctly describe the church at Corinth. (1 Corinthians 1:10; 12:25)

CONTINUED…1 Timothy 3:14-16

1. How is the hymn in 1 Timothy 3:16 connected with the house of God?
   
    
2. Ephesians 2:19-22
   1. With whom are Gentile Christians, fellow citizens?
   2. What is the household of God built on?
   3. What does the building grow into, and for what purpose does it serve?
       
3. What will God do to the one who defiles/destroys the temple of God?
   (1 Corinthians 3:17)
    
4. Ephesians 5:1-8
   1. What great temple existed in the ancient city of Ephesus, and what kind of influence might this have upon the church? 
   2. How were they to walk (5:1, 2, 8)?
   3. Are there things “not fitting” for children of God to do (5:3-5)?
   4. What danger exists for children (5:6, 7)?
5. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
   1. Describe Paul’s manner of teaching among those in Thessalonica (2:7, 11).
   2. What does God call us into (2:12)?
6. Who has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18)?

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