Some Principles Have Remained The Same in Every Age Eternal Principles of God Preached at West Side church of Christ September 23, 2007 Preacher and Author: Keith Greer, Beaver Creek, Ohio

The History of the World Patriarchal Mosaic Christian The History of the World: Three dispensations of Bible History—Patriarchal Age (about 2500 years) Mosaic Age (1500 years) Christian Age (2000 years and counting) “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. “ {Rom.5:14} “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. “ (Jno.1:17) “Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds .” {Heb.1:2} Romans 5:14 John 1:17 Hebrews 1:2 4000 3000 2000 1000 0000 500 1000 1500

We have the same basic desires and needs. We serve the same God. We have the same nature. We have the same basic desires and needs. Due to man’s particular needs and his design, God has dealt with him differently in different dispensations. Certain Principles Have Never Changed: We serve the same God We have the same nature. We have the same basic desires and needs Due to man’s particular needs and his design, God has dealt with him differently in different dispensations (OVERVIEW)

The Salvation Principle The Same in Every Age God Speaks Man Believes Man Obeys God Saves The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed Noah – Genesis 6:8,13-17; 22; 7:5; Hebrews 11:7 Abraham – Genesis 12:4; 15:6; 17:10,23; 22:3,16-18 Israel – Exodus 12:13; 14:30; Deuteronomy 30:15-19 Us – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12,37; Romans 6:3-6; 10:9-13; Galatians 3:26,27; 1 Peter 3:21 The Principle of Salvation The Same In Every Age… Noah- Gen. 6:8, 13-17, 22: 7:5; Heb.11:7 Abraham – Gen 12:4,7-9; 15:6; 17:10,23; 23:3, 16-18 Israel – Exo.12:13; 14:30; Deut.30:15-19; 1 Cor.10:1-13 Us – Mk.16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12,37; Rom.6:3-6; 10:9-13; Gal.3:26,27; Col.2:11-13; 1 Pet.3:21

The Salvation Principle The Same in Every Age God Speaks Man Believes Man Obeys God Saves The gospel contains: Facts to believe – 1 Cor. 15:1-8 Commands to obey – Romans 6:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 5:8,9 Promises to be enjoyed – Colossians 1:5, 23 The Principle of Salvation: The Same in Every Age God Speaks—Man Believes—Man Obeys—God Saves Facts to believe—1 Cor.15:1-8 Commands to obey—mk.16:16; Rom.6:16-18; 10:16; 2 Thess.1:7-9; Heb.5:8,9; Jam.2:14-26 Promises to be enjoyed—coll.1:5,23

The Salvation Principle The Same in Every Age God Speaks Man Believes Man Obeys God Saves “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16 The Principle of Salvation: The Same in Every Age God Speaks—Man Believes—Man Obeys—God Saves Example—Mark 16:16…

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved . Beyond Recognition Beyond Recognition: One need to twist and pervert this simple passage (Mk.16:16) How difficult is it? baptized shall be saved .

The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed The Worship Principle The Same in Every Age God Speaks Man Believes Man Obeys God Saves The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed Cain and Abel – Genesis 4:2-7; Hebrews 11:4 Abraham – Genesis 12:4; 7-9; 13:4 Israel – Leviticus 10:1-3; Malachi 1:6-14 Us – John 4:24; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16,17 The Principle of Worship The Same in Every Age… Cain and Abel- Gen. 4:2-7; Heb.11:4 Abraham – Gen 12:4,7-9; 13:4 Israel – Lev.10:1-3; Mal.1:6-14 Us – Jno.4:24; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor.16:1,2; Eph.5:19; Col.3:16; 1 Cor.11:23ff

The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed The Worship Principle The Same in Every Age God Speaks Man Believes Man Obeys God Saves The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7 Praying – Acts 4:31 Giving – 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 Singing – Ephesians 5:19 Preaching – 2 Timothy 4:1-5 The Principle of Worship The Same in Every Age… Lord’s Supper - Acts 20:7 Praying – Acts 4:31 Giving – 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 Singing – Ephesians 5:19 Preaching – 2 Timothy 4:1-5

The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed The Worship Principle The Same in Every Age God Speaks Man Believes Man Obeys God Accepts The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed Not all worship is acceptable worship. Cain – Genesis 4:4-7 Nadab and Abihu – Leviticus 10:1,2 Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5:1-11 Principle of Worship: Same in Every Age God Speaks—Man Believes—Man Obeys—God Accepts Not All Worship is Acceptable Worship. Cain—Gen.4:4-7 Nadab and Abihu—Lev.10:1-3 Uzziah—2 Chron. 26:16-21 Ananias and Sapphira—Acts 5:1-11

The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed The Worship Principle The Same in Every Age God Speaks Man Believes Man Obeys God Accepts The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed Not all worship is acceptable worship. In Ignorance – Acts 17:22-30 With sin – Matthew 5:23,24 According to men – Matthew 15:7-9 As we please – Colossians 2:20-23 Principle of Worship: Same in Every Age In Ignorance (Acts 17:22-30) With sin (Matt.5:23,24) According to men (Matt.15:7-9) As we please (Col.2:20-23) Not All Worship is Acceptable Worship! Emerging Worship Creating Worship Gatherings for New Generations Written by: Dan Kimball Churches are aging. Even among megachurches with their modern technology and huge number of members, whole generations are now missing. In order to reach the 18-35 year olds, churches need to incorporate alternative worship services into their ministries that meet the unique needs of the emerging generations. In a conversational, narrative style, author Dan Kimball guides church leaders on how to create alternative services from start to finish. Journal of the American Academy of Ministry Keep the mood, tempo of worship upbeat. Resist the minor keys, they’re too somber. Discard churchy anthems and hymns… Provide sermons with a catchy ‘How to…’ titles. Encourage casual dress and informal ambiance… the new model for efficiency and friendliness and enthusiasm is Walt Disney World

The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed The Judgment Principle The Same in Every Age God Speaks Man Believes Man Obeys God Saves The Principle Is the Same The Specific Requirements Have Changed Adam and Eve – Genesis 3:14-24 The antediluvian world – Genesis 6:5-7; 7:23; 1 Peter 3:19,20 Sodom and Gomorrah – Genesis 19:12,13, 24,25 Israel – Deuteronomy 30:17,18; Joshua 23:16 Us – Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10 The Principle of Judgment The Same In Every Age… Adam and Eve Gen. 3:14-24 Antediluvian world – Gen 6:5-7; 7:23; 1 Pet.3:19,20 Sodom and Gomorrah—Gen.19:12,13, 24, 25 Israel – Deut.30:17,18; Josh.23:16; 2 Kings 17:25; Matt.23:24 Us – Heb.9:27; 2 Cor.5:10; 2 Pet.3:10-14; 2 Thess.1:7-9

Salvation by Grace Through Faith How Much Obedience Is Enough? In order for Noah’s family to be saved? Genesis 6:8, 22; 7:5; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:21 In order for the walls of Jericho to fall? Joshua 6:2,20; Hebrews 11:30 In order for Naaman to be cleansed of his leprosy? 2 Kings 5:10-14 In order for Noah’s family to be saved? – Genesis 6:8 (NKJV) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. . . . 22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. . . . 7:5 And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV) By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. In order for the walls of Jericho to fall? Josh. 6:2, 20; Heb. 11:30 Joshua 6:2 (NKJV) And the Lord said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. at. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. Hebrews 11:30 (NKJV) By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. In order for Naaman to be cleansed of his leprosy? 2 Kings 5:10-14 2 Kings 5:10-14 (NKJV) And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean." [11] But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.' [12] Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. [13] And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" [14] So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Salvation by Grace Through Faith How Much Obedience Is Enough? In order for the 3000 to receive the remission of sins on the day of Pentecost? Acts 2:38-47 In order for the erring child of God to be forgiven? Acts 8:19-24; 1 John 1:7-9 In order for the 3,000 on the day of Pentecost to receive the remission of their sins? – Acts 2:38 In order for the erring child of God to be forgiven of sin? – Acts 8:19-24; 1 John 1:7-9 Acts 8:19-24 (NKJV) saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." [20] But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! [21] You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." [24] Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me." 1 John 1:7-9 (NKJV) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Certain Principles Have Never Changed God hates sin!! Sin separates men from God - Isaiah 59:1,2. Through Christ, God provides salvation from sin - Romans 3:24-26. God will sentence to eternal punishment in hell all men who do not obey Jesus - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. Some Principles Have Remained the Same in Every Age Certain Principles Have Never Changed—Summary—Offer Invitation…