Bible Question Box Isaiah 29:13-16

? Question ? Is it considered gossip to hear “ second-hand ” information concerning an individual ’ s conduct? What about a church ’ s? Can you confront that person or church without eye- witnessing it yourself? (Paul seems to do this in 1 Cor. 1:11, addressing the church on the word of Chloe ’ s household.) 2

What is Gossip? Idle talk, rumors about others, 2 Ths. 3:11Idle talk, rumors about others, 2 Ths. 3:11 3

My Name is Gossip I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts, and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious, and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never quite the same. My name is gossip. 4

What is Gossip? Slander, backbiting, tale bearing & busybodySlander, backbiting, tale bearing & busybody –Empty, idle words about others –Accusations &/or insinuations that discredit –Idle talk intended to turn one’s opinion –Gossip can be true or false Spreading 2 nd hand information without proof & godly purpose is gossip & shameful – Prov. 6:19; 20:19; 25:9-10Spreading 2 nd hand information without proof & godly purpose is gossip & shameful – Prov. 6:19; 20:19; 25: Idle talk, rumors about others, 2 Ths. 3:11Idle talk, rumors about others, 2 Ths. 3:11

Go to Person or Church Without being an Eyewitness? Yes, to confirm truth &/or expose lie, 1 Cor. 1: 11; 5:1; 2 Cor. 13:1Yes, to confirm truth &/or expose lie, 1 Cor. 1: 11; 5:1; 2 Cor. 13:1 If you are tempted to gossip:If you are tempted to gossip: –Work on purifying heart, Matt. 12:34; 15:18-20 –Increase your love for others, Eph. 4:31-5:2 –Learn to use your speech to help others, not destroy them, Eph. 4:29 6

? Question ? How should a Christian view “Christian Rock” bands? What about “Gospel genre” singers? As neither “Christian” nor “gospel”! (1 Peter 4:11) 7

“Christian Rock” Bands and “Gospel Genre” Singers? If worship, it is vain due to the tradition of men (instrumental music) & the false teachings it conveys – Matt. 15:7-9; Col. 3:16 (James 5:13)If worship, it is vain due to the tradition of men (instrumental music) & the false teachings it conveys – Matt. 15:7-9; Col. 3:16 (James 5:13) If it is entertainment, it changes the purpose of worship in song – Eph. 5:19 (Gal. 1:6-9; Col. 3:17)If it is entertainment, it changes the purpose of worship in song – Eph. 5:19 (Gal. 1:6-9; Col. 3:17) Matthew 7:21-23; Colossians 2:8, 23 8

? Question ? Some might say that using a piano in church aids the brethren in worship. Where does it say that using instruments in worship is wrong? Where is God’s authority for excluding such things? John 4:

Aids & Additions An aid helps carry out God’s commandAn aid helps carry out God’s command An addition changes the action & effect of the commandmentAn addition changes the action & effect of the commandment 10

Aids & Additions Tools AIDED Noah – Gen. 6:14Tools AIDED Noah – Gen. 6:14 –Oak wood would have changed what Noah did as opposed to what God wanted…ADDITION Saddle, donkey, servants & wood AIDED Abraham offer Isaac – Gen. 22:1-3Saddle, donkey, servants & wood AIDED Abraham offer Isaac – Gen. 22:1-3 –Offering a servant would have changed what Abraham did as opposed to what God wanted… ADDITION 11

Aids & Additions Utensils AID Christians in eating the Lord’s Supper (bread & f of v) – 1 Cor. 11:24-25Utensils AID Christians in eating the Lord’s Supper (bread & f of v) – 1 Cor. 11:24-25 –Eating burgers & drinking coke would change what we do as opposed to what God wants… ADDITION Song books AID Christians in singing songs – Eph. 5:19Song books AID Christians in singing songs – Eph. 5:19 –Playing an instrument changes what we do as opposed to what God wants…ADDITION 12

Where is God ’ s authority for excluding such things? The same place the Bible says…The same place the Bible says… –Building the ark of oak was wrong –Offering Abraham’s servant was wrong –Burgers & coke in the Lord’s Supper is wrong! Silence of Scriptures constrains (it does not give divine consent & approval)Silence of Scriptures constrains (it does not give divine consent & approval) –Sets the boundary we must not cross 13

Where is God ’ s authority for excluding such things? If silence is consent, then Noah could have used oak wood (Gen. 6:22-7:1)If silence is consent, then Noah could have used oak wood (Gen. 6:22-7:1) If silence is consent, then Abraham could have offered his servant (Gen. 22:12)If silence is consent, then Abraham could have offered his servant (Gen. 22:12) If silence is consent, then we can eat burgers & coke for the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 10:16)If silence is consent, then we can eat burgers & coke for the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 10:16) 14

Where is God ’ s authority for excluding such things? If silence is consent, then the Judaizers were not false teachers – Acts 15:1-2, 24If silence is consent, then the Judaizers were not false teachers – Acts 15:1-2, 24 If silence is consent, then an angel is the Son of God – Heb. 1:5If silence is consent, then an angel is the Son of God – Heb. 1:5 If silence is consent, then men of Judah (like Jesus) could be OT priests without being put to death (Heb. 7:13-14; Num. 3:10)If silence is consent, then men of Judah (like Jesus) could be OT priests without being put to death (Heb. 7:13-14; Num. 3:10) If silence is consent, then we can play instruments in worship (Eph. 5:19)If silence is consent, then we can play instruments in worship (Eph. 5:19) 15

Where is God ’ s authority for excluding such things? Do not go beyond what is written – 1 Cor. 4:6Do not go beyond what is written – 1 Cor. 4:6 If “God didn’t say not to” gives us His approval, why did He consume Nadab & Abihu when they did something “He didn’t say not to” – Lev. 10:1-2If “God didn’t say not to” gives us His approval, why did He consume Nadab & Abihu when they did something “He didn’t say not to” – Lev. 10:1-2 (“which He had not commanded them”) 16

Romans 9:20-21 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “ Why have you made me like this? ” Does not the potter have power over the clay … ? 17