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>> Today we are blessed
with a wonderful gift from God,
the Bible.
This book is God's living word.
In its pages, we are told,
"For the word of God is living
and powerful, and sharper
than any two-edged sword."
It is in this book of books
that we find the answers
to all of men's questions
and need.
This morning, your area
Churches of Christ
welcome you to a program
committed to that perfect
law of liberty.
[ Singing continues ]
As we present "The Living Word."
[ Singing continues ]
Now, here is your host,
Ray Sullins.
>> Paul once proclaimed,
"Walk in the spirit
and you shall not fulfill
the lust of the flesh."
Are you walking
in the spirit of God today?
Let me welcome you to
"The Living Word" program
on this,
the Lord's Day morning.
And it's always an honor and
a privilege to have you with us.
And we thank you
that you have chosen
to give this time
to your God.
May we each
this morning participate
and do what we need to do
in order to make
what we do
according to his will
and doing those things
acceptable in his sight.
And as we begin to speak
with our God,
we would like to do so by
speaking with him in prayer.
Will you bow with me
at this time?
Our God and Father in heaven,
we are so thankful
for another day of life.
And Father, we know
that all good things
come from you, from above.
And we thank you for your love
and your grace and your mercy
and all physical blessings
and all spiritual blessings.
And Father, we also are thankful
most of all for your son, Jesus,
the great sacrifice
that he made on the cross
that we might be recipients of
not only your blessings today,
but your blessings eternally.
And help us to live every day
that we might respond
to that love
by loving you enough to do
what you have asked of us
to be found faithful to the very
end and receive eternal life.
Father, these things we pray
through the name of your son,
Jesus.
Amen.
This morning, we want to begin
our songs of praise
by singing a song
which reminds us that God
has done what is necessary
to deliver us from sin.
So won't you join in with
the congregation at this time
as we sing together,
"He is Able to Deliver Thee."
>>  'Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung 
 'Tis the grandest theme
for a mortal tongue 
 'Tis the grandest theme that
the world e'er sung 
 "Our God is able
to deliver thee 
 He is able to deliver thee 
 He is able to deliver thee 
 Though by sin oppressed,
go to Him for rest 
 Our God is able
to deliver thee 
 'Tis the grandest theme
in the earth or main 
 'Tis the grandest theme
for a mortal strain 
 'Tis the grandest theme,
tell the world again 
 "Our God is able
to deliver thee 
 He is able to deliver thee 
 He is able to deliver thee 
 Though by sin oppressed,
go to Him for rest 
 "Our God is able
to deliver thee 
 'Tis the grandest theme,
let the tidings roll 
 To the guilty heart,
to the sinful soul 
 Look to God in faith,
He will make thee whole 
 "Our God is able
to deliver thee 
 He is able to deliver thee 
 He is able to deliver thee 
 Though by sin oppressed,
go to Him for rest 
 Our God is able
to deliver thee 
>> We've already mentioned
a verse this morning
and actually have
been having a study
concerning these verses
in Galatians chapter five,
where Paul was encouraging
the Brethren
to walk in the spirit
and to be proper therefore
in the eyes of God.
However, we also spent
a great deal of time
there in that same passage
and have looked at together
the great warnings
given to the Brethren.
He exhorted them to stay away
from what are referred to
as the works of the flesh,
which in his own words
are evident.
They are aware and all around us
each and every day.
Think about all these things
for just a moment
that we've been considering.
Aren't we all pretty much aware
of what sin is?
Even when we say that we're not
sure what is right or wrong,
I think often deep down
we actually know
the answer to most questions
when we ponder it.
And we do realize
that there are some things
that are very questionable
and many of those things
do lead to sin, indeed.
Well, what Paul
was dealing with here
was the life of a Christian.
It's not about
what we can get by with
or how little we can do
and still make it to heaven.
It's really about being one
who strives not to sin.
And therefore, even when we sin,
to desire to be forgiven.
The focus in the overall passage
is the walking in the spirit.
For if we are those who are
truly desirous to follow God,
we are going to strive
to walk in the spirit,
as even Paul went on to say
there.
We read, "You shall not fulfill
the lust of the flesh."
You see, we have no desire
to sin, to do wrong,
for God is our life.
He is the very basis,
the foundation
of what we are all about
as those who love him
and serve him.
So with these things in mind,
consider the many things
which the writer there
in the passage has mentioned
and those things
that we have discussed
already concerning adultery
and fornication, uncleanness,
lewdness, idolatry, sorcery,
hatred, contentions, jealousy,
outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions, dissensions,
heresies, today envy,
murders, drunkenness,
and revelries,
and even the like.
You see this list of sins
that he gives,
and then he even adds
the idea "anything like it."
We need to consider
what is being said here,
the warnings that are being
given to those who love God.
So that, as the text says,
we understand
that those who practice
these things
will not inherit
the kingdom of God.
You see, brethren and friends,
these are very,
very serious matters.
But now return with me
to the text and let's find out
really what that walk
of the spirit is all about.
You remember with me,
as we've already read
these things several times,
verse 22 says,
"But the fruit of the spirit
is love and joy
and long-suffering kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control,
and against such,
there is no law."
Do you notice anything about
all these characteristics,
these good and holy
and righteous characteristics?
They're Godlike, and we must
strive to be like God,
that we might be seen
by God as the faithful.
So the question for us
all continually,
as we look through
these studies together
is are we walking in the spirit
as those who love God?
If so, praise be to God.
If not, make sure you get
your life with God right today
that you'll be
a recipient of all
that he promises you now
and eternally.
Today, we will be returning
to that study from God's word
concerning the works
of the flesh.
We're getting near the end,
but today we will
look at murder.
So please continue
with us this morning.
And after our
next song together,
we will have a guest speaker
who will lead us
in these thoughts
from God's word.
As far as our speaker
of the day,
he's no stranger to you.
Brother Jerry Sullins
is with us.
He is the director of
the Bible Institute of Missouri
here in Springfield.
And he has again joined us
to lead us
in the thoughts from God's word.
I might also make mention
that we are now
accepting applications
for a new class of students
that begins in August.
So please contact us
if you or anyone you know
might have an interest in being
trained in the Word of God
to be able to proclaim it
and live it.
Well, for now then,
let's return
to our songs of praise.
The next song,
"There is a Habitation."
>>  There is a habitation,
built by the living God 
 For all of ev'ry nation,
who seek that grand abode 
 O Zion, Zion 
 I long thy gates to see 
>>  O Zion, lovely Zion 
>>  O Zion, Zion 
 When shall I dwell in thee? 
>>  O Zion, lovely Zion 
 A city with foundations 
 Firm as th'eternal throne 
 Nor wars nor desolations 
 Shall ever move a stone 
 O Zion, Zion 
 I long thy gates to see 
>>  O Zion, lovely Zion 
>>  O Zion, Zion 
 When shall I dwell in thee? 
>>  O Zion, lovely Zion 
 Within its pearly portals 
 Angelic armies sing 
 With glorified immortals 
 The praises of its King 
 O Zion, Zion 
 I long thy gates to see 
>>  O Zion, lovely Zion 
>>  O Zion, Zion 
 When shall I dwell in thee? 
>>  O Zion, lovely Zion 
>> We're certainly happy
to have you
in our viewing audience
this morning.
And we hope and pray
that the things that are said
will lead you to a better
understanding of God's word.
Recently, we've been involved
in a long series
on the sins of the flesh
found in Galatians chapter five,
verses 19 through 21.
Now it is
my responsibility today
to bring to
your attention a sin
that affects many people
in our world today.
And it's a sin of murder.
I might remind you
that all the sins
that have been mentioned before
and those that will come
after this lesson are said
by the Apostle Paul
being led by God himself
through the Holy Spirit
to say that they
who do such things
shall not inherit
the Kingdom of Heaven.
Now it's obvious that the Bible
teaches about murder
in many places.
In fact, murder was something
that began
in the very early days
of the creation of mankind.
The first two brothers,
Cain and Abel --
Cain killed Abel.
He actually murdered him.
And we know that
because of that,
a curse was placed
upon Cain by God
because of this sinful act.
In the new --
in the Old Testament,
also in a period
that is called the Mosaic age,
there were ten commandments
that were given by God.
Some people in the religious
world today believe that those
ten commandments
are still in effect.
Well, they are,
because in many ways,
most of them are renewed
in the New Testament.
But one concerns
the very subject
that we're talking
about today.
In that Ten Commandments,
first of all, it says you shall
have no other gods before you.
You shall not make unto you
yourselves any graven image.
You shall not take the Lord
your God's name in vain.
Also, it makes mention of
to remember the Sabbath day
to keep it holy.
A law that was in effect
during the Mosaic Age.
And then honor your father
and your mother.
And then the next one is,
"You shall not kill."
Now, this same word kill
is used also as murder
is used throughout the Bible.
It was condemned by God
throughout all ages.
And we can also understand
that it is condemned
in New Testament law also.
But before we get to that,
I want to mention to you
that this is a serious problem
that is going on
in our country today
as well as around the world.
We know that every day we hear
of in great cities like Chicago
and Los Angeles,
Memphis, Tennessee.
I mean, you name these cities
throughout the United States.
And there are actually
men and women who go out
and it's mostly men
who take guns
and just maliciously
kill other people,
sometimes without
any reason whatsoever.
Those people are committing
not only an unlawful act
under our laws here
in the United States,
but God condemns such actions.
And those people will not enter
into the Kingdom of heaven
unless they repent
and understand,
first of all, that what
they're doing is not good.
Even our society believes
it is wrong in every way.
Just this past week,
I heard of a situation that
took place in western Uganda.
We have actually preachers
that we have trained
in eastern Uganda
to go out into that area
and to preach the gospel.
And maliciously there were
insurgents from the I.S.,
and that is the Muslim faith,
who came over into Uganda,
into western Uganda,
to a certain village.
They actually killed
over 40 people, 40 young people,
because they went
into a school there
and they burned as the young men
were in their dormitory.
They actually locked the door
and burned many,
all of them that were
in that dormitory to death.
What a malicious act of murder.
Also, many of the girls,
as they were trying to escape,
were killed by machetes,
merciless.
They kill these people.
They kill the guard,
first of all.
And this goes on a lot in Uganda
and places all over the world.
God says that this is wrong
and they who do such things
shall not inherit
the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus lived under
the law of Moses.
And we say in one instance
that is mentioned in Mark
chapter ten, verse 17,
that there was a young man --
in fact, he's called
the rich young ruler --
who came and knelt down
before the Savior.
And he asked the question,
"What must I do
to inherit eternal life?"
And Jesus said,
"Why are you calling me good?
There's but one who is good,
and that is God himself."
And he said,
"You know the commandments --
do not commit adultery
and do not murder."
In fact, that Greek word
there means to murder.
That is to what?
Take another person's life, to
slay or to kill that individual.
And so Jesus went on to tell him
some other instructions,
and of course,
he went away sorrowful.
He said, "I've done
all these commandments."
He said,
"Now if you want to be perfect,
go and sell all you have
and give it to the poor."
And he went away sorrowfully
because he had great riches.
In other words,
he didn't do those.
He didn't adhere to that final
thing that Jesus told him to do.
Well, what is it
that defiles a man?
Is it what a man eats?
Jesus mentioned in Mark seven,
verse 21
that the problem is this.
What a man eats or drinks
in that context
is not what defiles a man,
but what defiles a man
are those evil thoughts
and intents
that are in his heart.
And one of those evil thoughts
and intents
that is mentioned in
that context would be murders.
So it's mentioned throughout
the New Testament.
I call your attention
to a verse that mentions
this concerning those
who will not go to heaven.
That's found in Revelation
chapter 21, verse eight.
There Jesus said,
"But the cowardly, unbelieving,
abominable murderers,
sexual, immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters
and all liars shall have
their part in the lake
which burns with fire
and brimstone,
which is the second death."
So it's very clear
in the New Testament
that murder is not acceptable.
Murder is something that
will keep you out of heaven.
And how detestable is murder?
Because actually one person
gets to in such a mindset
and in such a desire
void of any love
at all for another human being,
no matter
what the circumstances are.
I don't care if it's your enemy,
you have the responsibility
as far as Jesus is concerned,
to love that person.
Murder is something
that never enters
into the mind of a child of God.
And most of you know that,
even those of you
who have no respect
for Christians whatsoever.
You know that we
will not murder you.
You know that we will love you
as much as we can.
In fact, we will love you
even if you take our lives.
And everyone understands
that that is what
Jesus would require of us.
But when we look
at the Scripture,
there are other uses
of this term murder.
I want to call your attention
to the book of 1 John,
which is something
that is very interesting.
In fact, in 1 John
chapter three, verses 14 and 15,
the Scripture says,
"Whoever hates
his brother is a murderer.
And you know that no murderers
have eternal life
abiding in him."
That's a strong verse,
is it not?
If we even hate our brother,
then the love of God
is not within us.
Now, what did the Bible say?
What did Jesus even say?
What did God through the Holy
Spirit say in Galatians five?
If you are a murderer,
then you will not inherit
the kingdom of heaven.
Now, you might say,
"Well, preacher, you're
stretching it quite a bit."
Well, I understand one thing
about our Lord and savior,
that he was actually murdered.
He was killed by those
who were his brethren.
They were going to put him to
death no matter what happened.
It was their desire that he die,
and they participated
in that murder of Jesus Christ,
the son of God.
And all of the time
that Jesus was on that cross,
he was basically saying,
"Do not hold responsible
these people
for what they're doing to me."
Now, he was looking forward
to a day
when these same people
on the day of Pentecost,
as recorded in Acts Chapter two,
Peter spoke to them and said,
"You have crucified
the Son of God.
In fact, you have murdered
the Son of God.
Therefore repent
and be baptized,
every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of your sins,
and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit."
Acts, chapter two, verse 38.
So no, it's not right to murder
or to take someone else's life.
But do you realize that when
you hate someone to the point
that you want to murder them,
in fact, Jesus actually
revealed to us
and God revealed to us
in his scripture
that if the intent
is there within your heart,
then you've as much as already gone and murdered that person.
Now, is it right in the sight
of God to take a human life?
In our nation, each year
there are reported
around 1 million or more.
In fact, there's 1 million
recorded abortions
or over that.
This does not include
those that are not
reported.
And abortion,
is that not the taking
of a human life?
Over 63 million since Roe versus
Wade was introduced in 1973,
over 63 million children
have been aborted.
Now they've gone
to such a degree
that they can allow the child
to be born
and they lay it up
somewhere on a counter
while it is still connected
to the mother.
And probably in some cases
it's not.
And some people say,
"Well, that's okay."
I want to warn you, as far as
what God's word is saying
in Psalm 139 verses 13 and 14,
"For you formed my inward parts.
You covered me
in my mother's womb.
I will praise you for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made."
I want to ask you
to consider this.
If you abort your child,
which is already a living
being in your womb,
or if you support
such an abortion,
are you not guilty of murder?
Well, you can make that decision
and you must make that decision.
I agree with God,
it's wrong to do that.
And I think you know that.
How many of our people today
are suffering
because they went
through an abortion
and actually agreed
to that abortion
and wanted that abortion
and later on have found out
that they murdered
their own child?
But here's the good news.
Sin is sin.
And if you confess your sins
and if you repent of those sins
and turn away from those sins,
you confess the name
of Jesus Christ
and you're baptized
into Christ,
you will receive
the remission of your sins.
Read Romans six verses
three and four,
and you can see very clearly
that it doesn't matter,
according to 1 Corinthians
chapter six.
You may have believed in that,
you may have agreed with that,
but God can save you
from that sin.
You need only to repent of it
and to do his will.
Be baptized in the name
of Jesus Christ
for the remission of that sin
and all other sins.
And God will save you
in that day.
But remember this.
All murderers will have
their day in that lake
that burns with fire
and brimstone.
Romans one.
And you know it's there.
Or, Revelation, chapter one.
Please do his will.
>>  I know the Lord will find
a way for me 
 I know the Lord will find
a way for me 
 If I walk in Heaven's light 
 Shun the wrong
and do the right 
 I know the Lord will find
a way for me 
 The Lord has said, "Go preach the word to all the world" 
 The Lord has said, "Go preach the word to all the world" 
 If I walk in Heaven's light 
 Shun the wrong
and do the right 
 I know the Lord will find
a way for me 
 Won't it be grand to hear
Him say, "Well done" 
 Won't it be grand to hear
Him say, "Well done" 
 If I walk in Heaven's light 
 Shun the wrong
and do the right 
 Won't it be grand to hear
Him say, "Well done!" 
>> Again, let me thank you
for choosing to be
with us this morning.
I hope we've all been encouraged
through our time spent together.
And let me remind you
that you're invited to join us
every Sunday morning at 7:30
as we give this time
to the service of God.
But for now, let me ask if you
have any questions or comments
about today's lesson, maybe you'd like a free transcript
or free CD
or DVD of the program,
or possibly we could assist you
with free Bible materials
or free
Bible correspondence courses.
No matter what your need is,
please feel free to contact us
at the following address.
"The Living Word,"
2540 North Kansas Expressway,
Springfield, Missouri, 65803.
Many of these items are also
available on our website.
That address,
TheLivingWordProgram.com.
Or if you prefer, you may
call us at (417) 869-2284.
May we never be guilty
of treating others
in such a way that we have
committed murder
in our hearts against them.
Obviously as God is love,
we are to love all men
and to treat all men
as we would Christ.
The question today is, are you
acting like Christ or not?
>> Our prayer is to help
the world know more
about God through
this television program.
"The Living Word"
has been brought to you
under the oversight
of the elders
of the Kansas
Expressway Church of Christ
in Springfield, Missouri,
with the assistance
of the following area
Churches of Christ.
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