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Benjamin Lee <- Back All About Authority Benjamin Lee November 28, 2021 All About Authority Benjamin Lee 00:00 / 01:04 Download Outline File Download Presention File Authority, direct statement, commandment, approved apostolic example, necessary inference, forced conclusion, method, basis, aids, additions Request a File Looking for an outline or powerpoint file for a specific lesson? Let us know! Request Now Have any questions? Ask Us!

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Ben grew up around faith. Christianity wasn’t new to him — it was woven into his family. Church was consistent. Scripture was familiar. But faith still required a choice. Ben shares how addictions in his family forced him to confront a hard question: Who am I going to be? He had to decide whether he would repeat what he had seen or live differently. His story is steady and sincere — a reminder that even when faith is part of your heritage, obedience is still personal. Listen to Ben's story below!

In 2017 while preaching in Southeast Texas, I was reminded about the great love and generosity of God’s people! Our congregation had been hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. At least 30 members lost their homes. Despite the devastation all was not lost. God’s people reached out from all around the country to assist. Money was given from individuals and churches. Christians travelled from around the country to help us to rebuild. Brethren at our congregation sacrificed time, energy, and money to help the saints. Sometimes people ask, “Why do I need to be a part of a local congregation? Why can’t I just do Christianity by myself?” What I witnessed in 2017 was a strong reminder of why. Christians need one another. There were many Christians who were hurt because of the storm. Not physically, but rather emotionally and mentally. Members were weary and discouraged. The church became a place of comfort and encouragement for them. We sang, prayed, cried, and rebuilt houses together. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Brethren helped those who were weak and fainthearted, 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Our elders tended to the flock both physically and spiritually. In Acts 2, we see when and where the church was established. We also see what the church is. The church isn’t brick and mortar, it’s not a fancy auditorium, but rather people who have been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light through obedience to the gospel, 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 2:38. The church that Jesus established is not to be an afterthought, Matthew 16:18. Those in the body of Christ serve Christ as King! It’s hard to imagine what 2017 would have been like without the church. When we say “unchurched” we are referring to those who do not generally attend or are part of a congregation. These individuals don’t have much interest being a part of a local congregation. Barna Group said this concerning the unchurched in a 2014 article: “Today’s unchurched are much less likely to come from a church background than ever before. Furthermore, unchurched people today have different expectations of church involvement from those of previous decades. These changes are the result of shifting personal attitudes as well as significant changes in the broader cultural landscape. In other words, in spite of our “Christian” self-descriptions, more than one-third of America’s adults are essentially secular in belief and practice. If nothing else, this helps explain why America has experienced a surge in unchurched people—and presages a continuing rise in this population.” https://www.barna.com/research/five-trends-among-the-unchurched/. Reaching the unchurched is not rocket science! The Bible gives us the answers. Casual Contact In the book “The Patient Ferment of the Early Church” author Alan Kreider spoke about how the early church grew after the first century. He said, “How then did the church grow? Scholars have seen the church’s growth as coming about in innumerable ways through the translocal networks of family and profession in which most people participated. Masters interacted with slaves; residents met neighbors; and above all believers networked with relatives and work colleagues. In all these relationships, ‘affective bonds’ were formed.” Someone may read this and ask, “Is it really that simple? Yes, it really is that simple! Consider the stories of Lydia and the Philippian Jailer, Acts 16:13, 25-34. Many families came to Christ in the first century through casual contact. My son is taking Jiu Jitsu. A man from out of town recently visited the gym to sign up for classes. We had a casual conversation. He eventually shared with me how he’s been struggling with alcoholism for several years. I shared some Bible passages with him. We exchanged numbers and we’re looking to study the Bible together. This is the idea of casual contact. We have these opportunities everyday and everywhere. So, what are we to do when these casual contact opportunities arise? First, we must care enough to see them. Sometimes Christians can care more about politics and a person’s political party affiliation instead of their soul. Second, we must open our eyes daily to see these doors of opportunities, John 4:35. Third, we must open our mouths. This is what Philip did In Acts 8. Philip asked the Eunuch a question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Eunuch responded positively. He would later be converted. It’s not shocking to see statistics showing the most effective way of reaching the unchurched is by personally inviting people to worship services. A simple invitation will go a long way. Remember how Philip replied to Nathanael in John 1:46: “Can any good thing come out Nazareth? Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” So, what can we say when opportunities arise through casual contact? Here a few suggestions. “I would love for you to come with me to worship this Sunday. Are you interested?” “My congregation is having a special study on strengthening our marriages. Do you have any interest in studying with us?” “How can I pray for you today?” “Our congregation has been such a blessing to us with the support and love we’ve received.” Do you worship anywhere? Paul opened his eyes and mouth while in Athens, Acts 17. Some began to sneer. Others said they would hear him again. And a few joined him and believed. This is what will happen today. Some will mock when we share with them the gospel. Others will say maybe. Some will say, “I must obey.” But how will we know unless we open our mouths? Fourth, we must open our Bibles, Romans 10:17. We must teach people God’s word. They need to learn the gospel. Most people have a misunderstanding about Christ and His church. Therefore, we must show them what Christ has to say about His church. People need to learn how the church is not made up of perfect people, but rather people saved by the blood of Jesus striving to grow in the faith, Ephesians 4:11-16. People need to understand how the church in the first Century was one heart and one soul, Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32. People need to see how the body of Christ is designed to help build up and to correct when necessary (Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:5), all for the purpose of giving glory to God and for His people to be with Him in heaven. Be Different In the book, “The Patient Ferment of the Early Church” author Alan Kreider says: “The most reliable means of communicating the attractiveness of the faith to others and enticing them to investigate things further was the Christians’ character, bearing, and behavior. The habitus of the individual Christian was crucial.’” We know this to be true from God’s word, 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Peter 2:11-14. There’s no room for us to be Christian-ish. By that I mean saying we follow Jesus and yet live like everyone else. That’s not submitting to our King. We are to be holy because God is Holy, 1 Peter 1:16. Make worship a priority Chick Fil A and Hobby Lobby stand out because they are closed on Sundays. Are we standing out to others by worshiping with the saints on Sundays, Hebrews 10:25? When our children’s coaches, family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues see us making worship a priority, it will make them curious. Make visitors comfortable When visitors do arrive, we must welcome and assist them. It may be their first and last visit. Simple things like acknowledging them, informing them of what the worship services will look like, sitting with them, making sure they have a Bible, and showing them around the building will go a long way. Can we reach the “unchurched”? Yes! With prayer, patience, and being persistent. The gospel still has the power to save souls.

The Reality of Sin in Our Lives As Christians, we know the problem of sin. In Romans 3:23, Paul wrote, “…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This truth is the very reason Jesus came to earth, as highlighted in John 1:29. It explains why the world is in such a mess, as noted in 1 Timothy 2:13-14. Understanding sin helps us recognize our true enemy: Satan, as mentioned in 1 John 3:8. He constantly seeks to lead us into sin through various temptations! Satan attempted to get Jesus to sin while He was in the wilderness, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11. His tactics have not changed since the beginning in the Garden of Eden. He tries to tempt us through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as stated in 1 John 2:15-17. However, Satan was unable to defeat Jesus! Jesus responded with a powerful “It is written…” to counter the temptations used by the Deceiver. Even when Satan twisted Scripture to entice Jesus, He knew how to properly handle the Word of God and defeated that tactic as well. Eventually, the devil left Jesus, as noted in Matthew 4:11. But this was not the last time he would attack. Luke’s account (4:13) reminds us, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.” This reminder shows us that it is indeed possible to resist temptation. The Devil will seek to destroy us at opportune moments. He is not our friend and never will be. He opposes God and hates us! The Spiritual Battle We Face We are in a war—a spiritual war that we can win. But first, we must recognize this reality. In 1 Peter 2:11, it reads, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” We should view every day as a spiritual battle. This isn’t meant to discourage us; it’s a reminder. Each day, we must choose to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. Saying each morning, “I will pick up my cross and follow Jesus,” serves as a great reminder, along with prayer and scripture reading. We can face each day with confidence—not in our own strength, but in God’s. As 1 John 5:4 states, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” Yet, there are times when we fail and sin against God. We are called to be holy as God is holy, according to 1 Peter 1:13-15. Remembering who we are called to be is a powerful way to resist temptation. Another effective strategy is to seriously consider and study sin. When we do, we will find it much easier to resist temptation. The Devil hates us and desires to destroy us through sinning against God! Let’s explore a few passages to help us understand this better. Sin is Fighting Against Us 1 Peter 2:11 reminds us, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth our attention again. Paul spoke about the same thing in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 and Ephesians 6:10-13. Understanding what we’re up against and how horrific sin is will empower us to resist temptation. Sin is Trying to Kill Us Since the beginning, when Adam and Eve sinned, death was the result, as stated in Genesis 2:17. The wages of sin is death, as noted in Romans 6:23. The lie Satan continues to tell is the same one he told Eve in the Garden: “You surely will NOT die!” We see the consequences of sin in James 1:14-15. This serves as a stark reminder that sin is not a game and should be avoided at all costs. Sin is Insulting to God Hebrews 10:29-31 emphasizes that sin is insulting to God. The Devil truly hates us and seeks to lead us into sin against God. Satan wants us to grieve the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:30. There is never a good reason to sin. The Path to Resistance Let us resist the temptations that come our way, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:13. It is possible through the strength of God. We must remember that we are not alone in this battle. God equips us with the tools we need to stand firm against temptation. Building a Strong Foundation To strengthen our resistance against sin, we must build a solid foundation in our faith. This includes regular prayer, studying the Bible, and engaging with our faith community. These practices not only help us grow spiritually but also provide support when we face challenges. The Importance of Accountability Having accountability in our spiritual journey is crucial. Sharing our struggles with trusted friends or mentors can provide encouragement and guidance. They can help remind us of our commitment to holiness and support us in our efforts to resist temptation. Embracing Grace and Forgiveness We must also embrace the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ. When we stumble, it’s essential to remember that God’s love is unwavering. We can always return to Him, seek forgiveness, and strive to do better. This understanding helps us to move forward without being weighed down by guilt. Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking In conclusion, the journey of resisting sin is not easy, but it is worth taking. By recognizing the reality of sin, understanding its consequences, and relying on God’s strength, we can navigate our spiritual battles with confidence. Remember, we are not alone in this fight. Together, we can support one another and grow in our faith, deepening our spiritual journey. Let’s commit to resisting temptation and living a life that honors God. After all, our faith is our victory!