Jesus Washed Feet, But… (02.15.24)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about a controversial Super Bowl ad from the group “He Gets Us.” The commercial shows various people washing the feet of others, many of whom are usually depicted as being at odds with one another in our society. The commercial ended with these words being displayed across the screen: “Jesus didn’t teach hate. He washed feet.” The subtle – or not-so-subtle – message was that followers of Jesus need to welcome and accept everyone (including those who seek to obtain abortions, those who portray themselves as transgender, and more), and if they don’t, then they are guilty of “hate.” There are some very strong opinions about this ad, but I want us to consider some points about this today.Continue Reading

The Seven Churches (Part 4): Thyatira

The Seven Churches (Part 4): Thyatira

The fourth church the Lord addressed at the beginning of the book of Revelation was in Thyatira. This is the only mention of this church in the New Testament. However, there was a notable convert in Philippi who was from the city of Thyatira. This church was not facing persecution as many others were, yet the Lord warned them not to tolerate the sin that had crept in among them.

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 2:18-29).

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The Seven Churches (Part 3): Pergamum

The Seven Churches (Part 3): Pergamum

The church in Pergamum, or Pergamos (KJV, NKJV), was the third church addressed by the Lord at the beginning of the book of Revelation. Like the church discussed in the previous lesson (Smyrna), this church and city are mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament. Also like Smyrna, the church in Pergamum experienced persecution. One of their number had even been killed as a result. Yet the Lord warned them not to compromise the truth, even in the face of persecution.

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it’” (Revelation 2:12-17).

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Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 2): Expanding Fellowship

Dangers on the Safe Side

One of the blessings we enjoy as Christians is the fellowship we have with other believers. As the world around us becomes more ungodly, it is especially valuable to have this relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet we also need to remember that God has given certain rules that outline the bounds of our fellowship. It may be tempting to stay “on the safe side” and not draw lines of fellowship among our brethren. We do not want to draw lines that God has not drawn [we will discuss this more in the next article], yet there are dangers that exist when we expand fellowship beyond the bounds that God has given us.

Let us notice Paul’s rebuke of the church in Corinth for failing to deal with one who was in sin among them.Continue Reading

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

James 2:13

For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

This passage contains an important lesson for us, yet it is often misused by those who twist this passage in order to defend their particular ideology. Like anything else in the Bible, context is important. So in this article, we are going to see what this verse – in its context – teaches us so we can properly apply it and not be guilty of misusing or misapplying it.Continue Reading

Progressivism

Pointing - shadow

My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change” (Proverbs 24:21).

The wise man warned about those who are “given to change.” These are ones who want change for the sake of change. Sometimes change is good and necessary, but other times it is not. However, change is inherently part of progressivism – the idea that we must continue to move forward and not remain as or where we were. In this article, we are going to discuss progressivism in religion – what it is and why it is dangerous.
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Do Not Exceed What Is Written

Hand on Bible

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other” (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Paul had to address several problems in his first letter to Corinth. One had to do with the brethren elevating men and regarding them as more important than they were. The apostle used himself and Apollos as an example in order to teach them “not to exceed what is written.” His warning was for them to not go beyond the limits of what God’s word allows. This principle is found throughout the letter. In this article, we will consider some points that Paul addressed in this letter in order to teach us – or remind us – not to exceed what is written and go beyond the boundaries of God’s word.
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